JOHNA.SEAVERNS 


^^m 


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Prof^.   GEORGE    E.   RICH, 


k  Practical  aiifl  Scientific  Treatise, 

GIVING  IMPROVED  METHODS  OF  SHOEING,  WITH 

SPECIAL   DIRECTIONS    FOR   SHAPING   SHOES 

TO   CURE   DIFFERENT   DISEASES   OF  THE 

FOOT,  AND  FOR  THE  CORRECTION  OF 

FAULTY  ACTION  IN  TROTTERS. 


PROF.  GEO.  E.  RICH 


ILLUSTRATED. 


NEW  YORK • 
M.  T.  RICHARDSON  CO.,  PUBLISHERS, 

1899. 


Copyright,  1889. 
By  M.   T.   RICHARDSON. 


PREFACE, 


-lH  presenting-  this  work  to  the  horse-shoeing*  fraternity, 
the  author  desires  to  state  that  tlie  illustrations  and  de- 
scriptions of  shoes  furnished  do  not  represent  impracticable 
theories,  but  are  the  result  of  long-  years  of  experience. 
Every  one  of  the  shoes  described  has  been  tested  and  found 
to  do  the  work  claimed  for  it.  His  object  in  bring-ing-  out 
this  book  is  to  elevate  the  practice  of  horse-shoeing-  and 
instruct  those  who  desire  instruction,  as  to  the  best  methods 
of  shoeing*.  He  does  not  claim  that  the  book  is  free  from 
imperfections,  but  asks  his  readers  not  to  condemn  his 
methods  without  first  g-iving  them  a  thorough  trial. 


INTRODUCTION. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  PROF.  GEO.  E.  RICH. 

The  publisher  of  this  work  has  felt  that  the  many  friends 
of  Prof.  Geo.  E.  Rich,  as  well  as  those  who  are  likely  to  be- 
come his  friends  from  the  perusal  of  this  book,  would  be 
g-lad  to  know  something-  of  his  early  history  and  to  see  a 
portrait  of  the  man  who  has  achieved  such  success  as  a 
practical  horse-shoer  and  lecturer  on  the  anatomy  of  the 
horse's  foot.  Prof.  Rich  was  born  in  the  villag-e  of  Leona, 
Bradford  Co.,  Pa.,  in  the  year  1847.  His  father  was  a 
blacksmith,  and  young*  George  commenced  helping  him  in 
his  shop  when  he  had  to  stand  on  a  wooden  box  in  the  front 
of  the  anvil  in  order  to  wield  his  sledge  successfully. 

He  began  to  shoe  horses,  when  he  was  eleven  3^ears  of 
age,  in  the  village  of  Roseville,  Pa.,  and  worked  in  that 
place  until  he  was  fourteen  3^ears  old.  From  there  he  went 
to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  followed  his  trade  of  horse- 
shoer  at  the  corner  of  I  and  24th  streets,  shoeing  large 
numbers  of  horses  for  the  Government.  Thence,  after 
about  a  year,  he  went  to  Dunkirk,  IST.  Y.,  and  from  there  to 
Elmira,  working  in  each  place  for  several  years.  He  after- 
wards worked  for  a  couple  of  years  in  Tiog-a  Co.,Pa.,  as 
well  as  in  Harrjsbiu'^. 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

From  there  he  went  to  Baltimore,  where  he  succeeded  in 
g-etting-  a  position  in  one  of  the  best  shops  in  that  city. 
Being"  anxious  to  learn  all  he  could  in  regard  to  horse-shoe- 
ing he  worked  for  three  dollars  a  week,  and  paid  three  dol- 
lars and  a  half  a  week  for  his  board,  but  while  working  in 
this  shop  he  made  rapid  advances  in  the  art  of  horse-shoe- 
ing. 

By  a  happy  circumstance  he  made  the  acquaintance  of 
Profs.  Rockwell  and  Hurlburt,  the  former  the  inventor  of 
the  celebrated  Rockwell  Bit.  Both  these  gentlemen  were 
expert  horse  trainers.  Mr.  Rich  worked  for  them  for  fifty 
cents  a  day.  He  had  shod  horses  then  for  about  ten  years, 
but  notwithstanding  all  this  experience  he  could  only  make 
one  kind  of  shoe,  and  fully  realized  that  he  had  a  great  deal 
yet  to  learn  about  horse-shoeing*. 

When  Mr.  Rich  first  began  work  for  Rockwell  and  Hurl- 
burt they  insisted  upon  his  studying  the  anatomy  and 
structure  of  the  horse's  foot,  claiming  that  he  could  not 
shoe  horses  properly  without  understanding  all  about  the 
foot  he  was  manipulating.  Of  course  it  was  very  hard 
work,  and  he  thought  it  more  of  a  nuisance  than  anything 
else,  but  Prof.  Rockwell  insisted  that  he  would  not  be  fit  to 
shoe  a  horse  until  he  had  mastered  all  these  points.  Be- 
fore he  left  Mr.  Rockwell  he  was  getting  three  dollars  a 
day,  which  was  quite  an  improvement  over  the  fifty  cents  a 
day  with  which  he  had  started. 

Mr.  Rockwell  taught  him  how  to  make  quite  a  number  of 
different  kinds  of  shoes  for  different  diseases  of  the  foot. 
He  has  kept  adding  to  these,  for  different  purposes,  until 
now  he  makes  fifty-three  different  kinds  of  shoes,  each  one 


INTRODUCTION,  T 

adapted  to  some  different  condition  of  the  foot,  and  design- 
ed either  for  curing-  some  disease  or  for  correcting  some 
fault  in  gait. 

During  the  past  five  years  Mr.  Rich  has  shod,  probably, 
twenty-five  hundred  horses  of  all  kinds,  sound,  lame  and 
crippled. 

He  is  now  traveling,  accompanied  bj^  several  assistants, 
giving  lectures  in  important  towns  in  New  York  State 
and  Pennsylvania.  After  explaining  in  one  of  his  lectures 
all  about  the  structure  of  the  foot  and  how  horses  ought  to 
be  shod,  he  is  called  upon  to  shoe  a  great  many  horses  who 
have  been  more  or  less  injured  by  bad  shoeing,  and  in  near- 
ly every  instance  he  succeeds  in  accomplishing  what  is 
regarded  b^^  ordinary  blacksmiths  as  wonders. 

Of  course  he  has  now  reached  a  point  where  he  is, 
pecuniarily  speaking,  doing  well,  but  he  derives  full  as 
much  satisfaction  from  the  knowledge  that  his  efforts  to 
ameliorate  the  condition  of  that  noble  animal,  tlie  horse,  are 
appreciated,  as  from  an3^  gain  which  comes  to  him  from  his 
work.  He  is  acting  in  the  capacity  of  a  missionary 
among  horse-shoers,  and  is  teaching  hundreds  of  them, 
who  have  previously  had  but  crude  notions  about  the  art, 
how  to  shoe  horses  artistically  and  scientifically. 


Artistic  Horse-shoeing^ 


CHAPTER  I. 

ANCIENT  HORSE-SHOEING. 


Horse-shoeing-  has  been  practiced  in  one  form  or  another 
ever  since  the  horse  in  remote  ages  was  tamed  and  sub- 
dued for  the  uses  of  man.  At  first  the  shoes  were  doubt- 
less constructed  of  raw  hides,  and  extended  sufficiently 
high  on  the  hoof  to  admit  of  being"  fastened  around  it  in 
some  way.  When  man  learned  to  convert  iron  ore  into 
iron  that,  by  the  aid  of  fire,  could  be  forged  into  any  shape 
desired,  it  soon  occurred  to  some  inventive  mind  that  shoes 
might  be  fashioned  of  iron  and  nailed  to  the  horse's  foot  in 
some  wa3^  The  man  to  conceive  the  idea  of  nailing  shoes 
to  the  feet  was  doubtless  the  first  oue  who  had  ever  under- 
taken to  study  the  anatoni}^  of  the  foot.  The  idea,  perhaps, 
may  have  been  suggested  by  examining  some  old  foot  that 
in  the  process  of  decay  of  the  animal  to  which  it  belonged, 
had  naturally,  on  account  of  its  hard  substance,  survived 
longer  than  the  fiesh  or  even  the  bones.  This  primitive 
anatomist  saw  that  if  care  were  taken  a  nail  could  be 
driven  into  the  hoof  without  touching^  any  sensitive  point. 


10 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


and  then  if  this  nail  was  clinched  it  would  hold  the  iron 
shoe  on  the  foot.  No  improvement  over  this  system  ol 
fastening-  has  been  made,  but  vast  improvements  have  been 
made  in  the  nails  by  which  the  shoes  are  driven  on,  and 
also  in  the  sho^s  themselves. 

The  horse,  in  a  state  of  nature,  requires  no  shoes. 
The  natural  growth  of  the  hoof  is  sufficient  to  take  the 
place  of  any  ordinary  wear,  such  as  a  horse  would  be 
subjected  to  in  the  process  of  hunting"  for  its  food  in  a  wild 


Fig.  1.— Ancient  Arabian  Shoe.      Fig.  2.— Modern  Arabian  Shoe. 


state.  When  brought  into  the  service  of  man,  and  com- 
pelled to  use  his  feet  on  hard  roads  or  pavements,  the  hoof 
of  course  naturally  wears  away  i^apidly.  To  prevent  this 
wear  the  horse  is  shod,  and  the  original  idea  of  a  shoe  was 
simply  to  prevent  the  hoof  wearing*  away. 

To  give  the  reader  of  this  volume  an  opportunity  to  com- 
pare modern  horse-shoes  with  man's  first  idea  of  a  horse- 
shoe we  present  herewith  several  illustrations  of  shoes  such 
as  the  Arabs  and  other  European  nations  used  centuries 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


11 


ago.  Fig-.  1  shows  an  ancient  Arabian  shoe,  while  Fig".  2 
shows  a  modern  Arabian  shoe.  It  will  be  seen  that  very 
little  progress  has  apparently  been  made  in  the  East  in 
shoeine:  horses  since  iron  was  first  introduced  for  horse- 


FiG.  3.— Showing  the  Method  of 
Fastening  Arabian  Shoes  to  the 
Foot. 


Fig.  4.— Modern  Portuguese 
Horse-shoe. 


Fig.  5.— Modern  Persian 
Horse-shoe. 


Fig.  6.— Modern  Moorish 
Horse-shoe. 


shoes.  These  Arabian  shoes  are  simply  pieces  of  sheet- 
iron  stamped  out  to  conform  to  a  special  pattern.  The 
method  of  fastening  these  shoes  to  the  feet  will  be  found 
illustrated  in  Fig.  3.  Even  at  this  time  the  Moors,  Per- 
sians and  Portuguese  use  forms  of  horse-shoes  in  no  essen- 
tial particular  an  improvement  over  the  ancient  Arabian 


12  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

shoes.  Fig-.  4  represents  a  modern  Portuguese  shoe.  Fig*. 
5  a  Persian  shoe,  while  Fig".  6  shows  a  Moorish  shoe.  An 
inspection  of  these  crude  specimens  of  horse-shoes  will  be 
likely  to  suggest  to  the  thoughtful  reader  that  the  people 
of  the  East  are  by  no  means  either  inventive  or  progres- 
sive. Placed  alongside  of  modern  horse-shoes  these  ancient 
samples  present  a  rather  sorry  appearance.    In  Fig.  7  will 


Fig.  7.— Old  English  Shoe  in  Use  in  the  18th  Century. 

be  seen  the  form  of  the  old  English  horse-shoe  used, 
according  to  Ma^^hew,  an  English  authority,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  18th  century.  In  comparison  with  the 
Arabian  and  Moorish  or  Persian  shoes  this  old  English 
shoe  presents  several  important  improvements.  Instead  of 
being  fastened  b^^  the  method  emplo^^ed  by  the  Arabs  the 
old  English  slioe  was  evidentl3^  nailed  on  the  foot  the  same 
as  shoes  are  fastened  on  now.  But  to  the  horse-shoer  of 
that  time  it  appeared  necessary  to  employ  many  more  nails 
than  are  now  considered  essential. 


ARTISTIC  HORSESHOEING.  l3 


CHAPTER  II. 

ANATOMY  OF  THE  FOOT. 

If  shoeing"  is  not  properly  done  it  produces  many  diseases 
of  the  foot. 

It  is  easilj^  possible  to  ruin  a  good  horse  in  a  very  short 
time  by  bad  shoeing.  It  is  also  possible  when  a  horse  is 
lame  from  any  cause  to,  in  a  measure,  remove  this  lameness, 
and  sometimes  to  entirely  cure  it  by  proper  shoeing.  No 
man  can  shoe  a  horse  properly  who  does  not  understand 
all  about  the  anatomical  construction  of  his  feet  and  legs. 
He  must  know  how  many  bones  there  are  in  the  foot,  exact- 
ly where  they  are  located,  and  what  their  uses  are. 

How  many  blacksmiths  or  horse-shoers  are  sufficiently 
familiar  with  the  foot  of  a  horse  to  describe  the  location  of 
the  different  bones  and  give  their  technical  names  ?  It  is 
safe  to  predict  that  only  a  small  percentag-e  could  accom- 
plish this  feat,  simple  as  it  is. 

We  frequently  hear  horse-shoers  claiming"  to  understand 
the  art  in  all  its  bearings,  who  could  not  even  describe  the 
shape  of  the  coffin-bone,  or  tell  where  it  was  located.  The 
author  does  not  propose  in  this  treatise  to  go  into  an  ex- 
tensive explanation  of  the  anatomy  of  the  foot,  his  object 
simply  being  to  describe  the  different  bones  and  tendons  in 
such  a  way  that  the  whole  matter  may  be  easily  compre- 
hended by  anybody. 


14  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

As  the  work  of  the  shoer  is  confined  solely  to  the  hoof  it 
is  essential  that  he  should  understand  its  construction.  It 
consists  first  of  the  Wall  or  Crust,  the  Sole,  Frog  and 
coronary  Frog-  Band. 

The  Wall  is  that  portion  of  the  front  and  sides  of  the 
foot  from  the  coronet  to  the  ground.  It  is  through  the  wall 
that  the  shoer  drives  his  nails,  and  it  is  upon  the  wall  that 
the  shoe  rests. 

Fleming,  a  noted  authority  on  horse-shoeing,  says  in  his 
description  of  the  wall :  *^  The  inner  face  of  its  upper  edge 
is  hollowed  out  in  a  somewhat  wide  concavity  which 
receives,  or  rather  in  which  rests,  the  coronary  cushion. 
This  concavity  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  being  pierced 
everywhere  by  countless  minute  openings  which  penetrate 
the  substance  of  the  wall  to  a  considerable  depth.  Each  of 
these  perforations  receives  one  of  the '  villi '  or  minute  tufts  of 
blood  vessels  already  mentioned  as  prolonged  from  the  face 
of  the  membrane  covering  the  interior  of  the  foot.  Belaw 
this  concavity,  which  receives  a  large  share  of  the  horse's 
weight,  the  wall  is  of  about  equal  thickness  from  top  to 
bottom.  On  the  whole  of  its  inner  surface  are  ranged 
thin,  narrow,  vertical,  horny  plates,  in  number  correspond- 
ing to  the  vascular  laminae,  between  which  they  are  so  inti- 
mately received  or  dove-tailed  (a  horny  leaf  between  two 
vascular  ones)  that  in  the  living  or  flesh  sides  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  disunite  without  tearing  them.  The  inner 
face  of  the  lower  margin  is  united  in  a  solid  manner  to  the 
horny  sole  through  the  medium  of  a  narrow  band  of  soft, 
light  colored  horn,  situated  l)et\veen  the  two,  which  we  may 
call  the  *  white  line'  or  ^zone.'  " 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEINO.  15 

The  dimensions  of  the  wall  var^^  in  different  situations. 
In  front  it  is  deepest,  but  toward  the  quarters  and  heels  it 
diminishes  and  becomes  thinner ;  at  its  angles  of  inflection 
(the  points  of  the  heels)  it  is  strong-.  This  structure  is 
fibrous,  the  fibres  pass  directly  parallel  to  each  other  from 
the  coronet  to  the  gTOund,  each  fibre  being-  moulded  on,  as 
it  is  secreted,  by  one  of  the  minute  tufts  of  blood  vessels 
lodged  in  the  cavity  at  the  coronet. 

Fig.  8  shows  the  dittereiit  kinds  of  horn  of  which  the 
horse's  hoof  is  made  up.    a,  a,  is  the  wall:  the  outer  or  dark 


Fig.  8. 


portion  constitutes  the  crust  of  the  wall;  6,  is  the  light  col- 
ored or  yielding  horn  of  the  sole;  c,  is  the  elastic  horn  of 
the  frog. 

Next  we  have  to  consider  the  Horny  Sole,  and  the  same 
authority  describes  it  as  being  ''contained  within  the  lower 
margin  of  the  wall  and  is  a  concave  plate  covering  the  low- 
er face  of  the  pedal  bone. ' '  In  structure  it  is  fibrous  like  the 
wall,  the  fibres  passing  in  the  same  direction,  and  are  form- 
ed in  the  same  manner  by  the  tufts  of  blood  vessels  project- 
ed from  the  membrane  Avhich  immediately  covers  the  bone. 


16  ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 

These  tufts  penetrate  the  horny  fibres  the  same  depth  as 
in  the  wall,  maintaining-  them  in  a  moist,  supple  condition, 
such  as  best  fits  them  for  their  office.  The  sole  is  thickest 
around  its  outer  border  where  it  joins  the  wal^thinnest  in 
the  centre,  where  it  is  most  concave.  A  peculiarity  of  this 
part  of  the  hoof  is  its  tendency  to  break  off  in  flakes  on 
the  ground  face  when  the  fibres  have  attained  a  certain 
length.  The  wall,  on  the  contrary,  continues  to  grow  in 
length  to  an  indefinite  extent,  and  unless  kept  within  rea- 
sonable dimensions  by  continual  wear  or  the  instruments 
of  the  farrier,  would  in  time  acquire  an  extraordinary  dis- 
tortion. 

The  Horny  Sole  for  this  reason  is  less  dense  and  resist- 
ing than  that  of  the  ''  Wall,"  and  is  designed  more  to  sup- 
I)ort  weight  than  to  stand  wear. 

The  same  authority,  in  describing  the  Horny  Frog,  states 
that  it  ^'  is  an  exact  reduplication  of  that  within  the  hoof 
described  as  the  sensitive  or  fatty  frog.  It  is  pyramidal 
in  shape,  and  is  situated  at  the  back  part  of  the  hoof  within 
the  bars,  with  its  point  of  apex  extending  forward  to  the 
centre  of  the  sole,  and  its  base  or  thickest  portion  fill- 
'  ing  up  the  wide  space  left  between  the  inflexions  of  the 
wall.  In  the  middle  of  the  posterior  part  is  a  cleft,  which 
in  the  health}^  state  should  not  be  deep,  but  rather  shallow 
and  sound  on  its  surface. 

*'In  structure,  this  body  is  also  fibrous,  the  fibres  pass- 
ing in  the  same  direction  as  those  of  the  other  portions  of 
the  hoof ;  but,  instead  of  being  quite  rectilinear  like  them, 
they  are  wavy  or  flexuous  in  their  course,  and  present  some 
microscopical  pecuJ-arities  which,  though  interesting  to  the 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEINa.  17 

comparative  anatomist,  need  not  be  alluded  to  here.  The 
fibres  are  finer  than  those  of  the  sole  and  wall,  and  are 
composed  of  cells  arranged  in  the  same  manner  as  else- 
where in  the  hoof  ;  they  are  formed  by  the  villi  wliich  thickly 
stud  the  face  of  the  membrane  covering-  the  sensitive  frog. 

*'The  substance  of  the  horn}^  frog  is  eminently  elastic, 
and  corresponds  in  the  closest  manner  to  the  dense,  elastic, 
epidermic  pads  on  the  soles  of  tlie  feet  of  such  animals  as 
the  camel,  elephant,  lion,  bear,  dog,  cat,  etc.,  and  which 
are  evidentl}^  designed  for  contact  with  the  ground,  the 
support  and  protection  of  the  tendons  that  flex  the  foot,  to 
facilitate  the  springy  movements  of  these  creatures,  and 
for  the  prevention  of  jar  and  injury  to  the  limbs. 

*^In  the  horse's  foot,  the  presence  of  this  thick,  com- 
pressible, and  supple  mass  of  horn  at  the  back  of  the  hoof, 
its  being  in  a  healthy  unmutilated  condition,  and  permitted 
to  reach  the  ground  while  the  animal  is  standing  or 
moving,  are  absolutely  essential  to  the  well-being  of  that 
organ,  more  especiall^^  should  speed,  in  addition  to  weight- 
carrying,  be  exacted. 

"  Tlie  frog,  like  the  sole,  exfoliates  or  becomes  reduced  in 
thickness  at  a  certain  stage  of  its  growth  ;  the  flakes  are 
more  cohesive  than  those  of  the  sole. 

''  It  must  be  remarked,  however,  that  this  exfoliation  of 
the  sole  and  frog  only  takes  place  Avhen  the  more  recently- 
formed  horn  beneath  has  acquired  sufficient  hardness  and 
density  to  sustain  contract  with  the  ground,  and  exposure 
to  the  effects  of  heat,  dryness  and  moisture. 

''The  'Coronary  Frog-Band,'  or  'Periople,'  is  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  more  superficial  layer  of  the  skin  around 


18  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

the  coronet  and  heels,  in  the  form  of  a  thin,  light-colored 
band  that  descends  to  a  variable  depth  on  the  outer  surface 
of  the  wall,  and  at  the  back  part  of  the  hoof  becomes  con- 
solidated with  the  frog",  with  which  it  is  identical  in  struct- 
ure and  texture.  It  can  be  readily  perceived  in  the  hoof 
that  has  not  been  mutilated  by  the  farrier's  rasp,  extend- 
ing from  the  coronet,  where  the  hair  ceases,  to  some  dis-. 
tance  down  the  hoof  ;  it  is  thickest  at  the  commencement  of 
the  wall,  and  gradually  thins  away  into  the  finest  imagin- 
able film  as  it  approaches  the  lower  circumference  of  this 
part.  When  wet  it  swells  and  softens,  and  on  being  dried 
shrinks,  sometimes  cracks  in  its  more  dependent  parts,  or 
becomes  scaly. 

"  The  fibres  composing  it  are  very  fine  and  wavy,  as  in 
the  frog  ;  they  likewise  spring  from  villi  which  project 
from  the  true  skin  immediately  above  the  '  coronary  cush- 
ion.' 

"  The  use  of  this  band  would  to  be  twofold  :  it  connects 
the  skin  with  the  hoof,  and  thus  makes  the  union  of  these 
two  dissimilar  textures  more  complete,  its  intermediate 
degree  of  density  and  its  great  elasticity  admirably  fitting 
it  for  this  office  ;  and  it  acts  as  a  covering  or  protection  to 
the  wall  at  its  upper  part,  where  this  is  only  in  process  of 
formation,  and  has  not  sufficient  resistance  to  withstand 
the  effects  of  exposure  to  the  weather.  The  greatest  thick- 
ness and  density  of  the  band  correspond  to  the  portion  of 
the  wall  in  which  the  villi  or  vascular  tufts  are  lodged,  and 
here  the  horn  is  soft,  delicate,  and  readily  acted  upon  in  an 
injurious  manner,  bj^  external  influences. 

"  Thus  far,  then,  we  have  rapidly  glanced  at  the  anat- 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  19 

omy  and  uses  of  the  various  parts  entering-  into  the  com- 
position of  the  horse's  foot,  and  its  horny  box — the  hoof. 
It  may  be  necessary,  before  we  pass  to  the  consideration  of 
the  latter,  as  a  whole,  to  allude  to  the  structure  and  uses 
of  that  narrow  strip  of  horn,  whose  presence  every  farrier 
or  veterinary  surg-eon  is  cognizant  of,  but  whose  character 
and  functions  have  been  strangely  left  out  of  consider- 
ation by  all  anatomists  hitherto.  I  refer  to  the  *  white 
line'  or  *zone,'  the  slender  intermediate  band  that  runs 
around  tlie  margin  of  the  sole,  and  connects  that  plate  of 
horn  so  closely  to  the  wall  as  to  make  their  union  particu- 
larly solid  and  complete.  When  preparing  the  border  of 
the  hoof  for  the  reception  of  the  shoe,  this  part  is  easily 
distinguished  by  its  lig-hter  color  (in  a  dark  hoof),  and  by 
its  being  softer  and  more  elastic  than  either  the  sole  or 
wall,  between  which  it  is  situated.  It  would  appear  to 
be  secreted  by  the  villi  which  terminate  the  lower  end  of 
the  vascular  laminae,  and  the  horny  leaves  of  the  wall  are 
also  received  into  its  substance — a  circumstance  that  ren- 
ders the  junction  of  the  two  more  thorough.  I  think  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  the  principal  use  of  this  elastic  rim  of 
horn  placed  in  such  a  situation,  is  to  obviate  the  dang-er  of 
fracture  to  which  the  inferior  part  of  the  hoof — particular- 
ly the  sole— would  be  liable,  if  the  junction  between  the 
hard  and  comparatively  inelastic  sole  and  wall  was  direct- 
ly effected  without  the  interposition  of  such  a  body. 

*'It  may  be  noted,  that  it  is  through  this  soft  border  of 
horn  that  gravel  and  foreign  matters  usually  find  their 
way  to  the  sensitive  parts  of  the  foot,  and  there  excite  such 
an  amount  of  irritation  as  to  lead  to   the  formation  of 


20  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

matter,  and  cause  much  pain  and  lameness;  an  accident 
which  the  older  farriers  termed  'g-ravelling-.' 

*'In  viewing-  the  horse's  hoof  as  a  whole,  and  in  the  un- 
shod state,  we  find  that  it  presents  several  salient  charac- 
teristics, the  consideration  of  which  ought  to  dominate  or 
serve  as  a  guide  in  framing  rules  for  the  observance  of  far- 
riers in  the  practice  of  their  art.  The  first  of  these  is  the 
direction  in  which  the  wall  grows  in  a  health}^  condition. 

"  Viewed  as  it  stands  on  a  level  surface,  the  hoof  may 
said  to  be  somewhat  conical  in  shape,  its  upper  part  being 
a  little  less  than  its  base  ;  and  although,  geometrically,  its 
shape  may  be  described  as  the  frustum  of  a  cone,  the  base 
and  summit  of  which  have  been  cut  by  two  oblique  planes 
— the  inferior  converging  abruptly  behind  toward  the  su- 
perior— yet  the  circumference  of  the  hoof  does  not  offer  that 
regularity  which  this  description  might  imph^ ;  on  the  con- 
tary,  in  a  well-formed  foot,  we  find  that  the  outline  of  its 
inferior  or  ground  border  is  notably  more  salient  on  the 
outer  than  the  inner  side,  giving  it  that  appearance  which 
has  been  designated  the  '  spread.' 

*^  A  cone  being  intersected  by  two  planes  oblique  to  its 
axis,  and  not  parallel  to  each  other,  gives  a  good  idea, 
nevertheless,  of  the  obliquity  which  forms  so  marked  a  feat- 
ure in  the  hoof.  The  degree  of  obliquity  of  the  front  part 
or  toe,  and  of  the  upper  surface,  varies  with  the  amount  of 
growth  ;  but  where  this  has  been  counterbalanced  by  a 
proper  degree  of  wear,  it  will  be  remarked  that  this  obliqui- 
ty corresponds  to  the  inclination  of  the  pastern-bones  im- 
mediatel}'  above  the  hoof,  when  the  horse  is  standing-. 

"It  will  be  obvious  that  this  inclination  also  varies  with 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  21 

the  breeding-  of  the  animal,  and  the  conformation  of  the 
limbs  ;  so  that  no  definite  degree  can  be  assigned.  But  it 
must  be  pointed  out,  that  giving  the  angle  of  45°,  as  is 
done  in  almost  every  treatise  on  shoeing  and  the  anatomy 
of  the  foot,  is  a  grave  error.  Looked  at  in  profile,  a  hoof 
with  this  degree  of  obliquity  would  at  once  be  pronounced 
a  deformity ^  and  if  the  farrier  were  to  attempt  to  bring 
every  foot  he  shod  to  this  standard,  he  would  inflict  serious 
injury,  not  only  on  the  foot  itself,  but  also  on  the  back  ten- 
dons and  the  joints  of  the  limbs.  Careful  measurement 
will  prove  that  the  obliquity  of  the  front  of  the  hoof  is 
rarely,  if  ever,  in  a  well-shaped  leg  or  foot,  above  50°,  and 
that  it  is,  in  the  great  majority  of  cases*  nearer  5G°.  The 
sides  or  '  quarters'  of  the  wall  are  less  inclined — though  the 
outer  is  generally  more  so  than  the  inner;  while  the  heels 
are  still  more  vertical,  and  the  inner  may  even  incline 
slightly  inward.  Viewed  in  profile,  the  posterior  face  of 
the  hoof  will  be  observed  to  have  the  same  degree  of  slope 
as  the  front  face.  In  height,  the  heels  are  usually  a  little 
more  than  one-half  that  of  the  toe  ;  both  heels  are  equal  in 
height. 

^*  These  features,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter,  are  sufficient- 
ly important  to  be  constantly  remembered.  The  other 
characteristics  are  to  be  found  on  the  lower  or  ground  face 
of  the  hoof — the  most  important,  so  far  as  the  farrier's  art 
is  concerned. 

*^In  a  natural  condition,  the  whole,  or  nearly  the  whole 
of  this  face  comes  into  contact  with  the  ground,  each  part 
participating  more  or  less  in  sustaining  the  weight  thrown 
upon  the  limb.     On  soft  or  uneven  soil,  the  entire  lower 


22  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

border  of  the  wall,  the  sole,  bars,  and  frog",  are  subjected 
to  contact ;  Nature  intended  them  to  meet  the  ground,  and 
there  sustain  the  animal's  weight,  as  well  as  the  force  of 
its  impelling  powers.  But  on  hard  or  rocky  land  with  a 
level  surface,  only  the  dense,  tough  crust  and  bars,  the 
thick  portion  of  the  sole  surrounded  by  them,  and  the  elas- 
tic, retentive  frog,  meet  the  foi'ce  of  the  weight  and  move- 
ment ;  and,  in  both  cases,  not  only  with  impunity,  but  with 
advantage  to  the  interior  of  the  foot,  as  well  as  the  limb. 
The  horn  on  this  face  is,  as  has  been  said,  dense,  tough, 
and  springy  to  a  degree  var^' ing  with  the  parts  of  which  it 
is  composed;  while  its  fibres  are  not  only  admirably  dis- 
posed to  support  weight,  secure  a  firm  grasp  of  the  gTound 
and  aid  the  movements  of  the  limbs,  but  are  also  an  excel- 
lent medium  for  modifying  concussion  or  jar  to  the  sensi- 
tive and  vascular  structure  in  their  vicinity. 

*^  The  whole  circumference  of  the  wall  meets  the  ground, 
and  from  the  disposition  of  its  fibres,  the  arrangement  of 
the  cells  which  enter  into  their  composition,  and  its  rigid- 
ity, it  is  admirably  fitted  to  resist  wear  and  sustain  press- 
ure. It  projects  more  or  less  be3''ond  the  level  of  the  sole, 
and  the  space  measured  between  the  white  zone  within  it 
and  its  outer  surface  gives  its  exact  thickness.  This  is  a 
fact  not  without  interest  to  the  farrier  in  the  operation  of 
attaching  the  shoe  by  nails,  as  these  have  to  be  driven 
only  through  this  dense  horn — which  in  g-ood  hoofs  cannot 
be  said  to  much  exceed  half  an  inch  in  thickness — and  in 
proportion  to  its  thinness  is  the  necessity  for  carefulness 
and  address  on  his  part,  in  order  to  guard  against  wound- 
ing or  bruising'  the  sensitive  textures. 


ARTISTIC   HORSE -SHOEING.  23 

"  The  sole  is  more  or  less  concave  from  its  junction  with 
the  wall;  nevertheless,  even  on  moderately  firm  ground,  a 
portion  of  its  circumference,  wiiich  is  generally  the  thick- 
ness of  the  wall,  takes  a  share  in  relieving-  the  latter  of 
pressure.  This  is  also  a  fact  to  be  borne  in  mind.  In  soft 
g-round,  the  Avhole  of  its  lower  surface  is  made  to  aid  in 
sustaining  the  weight  and  prevent  the  foot  sinking.  But 
it  must  be  noted  that  the  pressure  of  the  lower  face  of  the 
pedal  bone  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  sole  can  never  be 
very  great,  else  the  sensitive  membrane  between  them 
w^ould  be  seriously  injured.  This  injury  is  prevented  by 
the  coronary,  and,  to  a  lesser  extent,  by  the  plantar  cush- 
ion, which  largely  retard  the  descent  of  the  bone  on  the 
floor  of  the  horn}^  box. 

"The  frog,  on  both  hard  and  soft  ground,  is  an  essential 
portion  of  the  weight-bearing  face.  In  the  unshod,  healthy 
foot  it  alwa3'S  projects  beyond  the  level  of  the  sole,  and  sel- 
dom below  that  of  the  wall  at  the  heels;  indeed,  it  is  found, 
in  the  majorit}^  of  hoofs,  either  on  a  level  with  the  circum- 
ference of  this  part,  or  be^^ond  it,  so  that  its  contact  wath 
the  ground  is  assured.  Hence  its  utility  in  obviating  con- 
cussion, supporting  the  tendons,  and,  on  slippery  ground, 
in  preventing  falls.  In  pulling  up  a  horse  sharply  in  the 
gallop,  or  in  descending  a  steep  hill,  the  frog,  together  with 
the  angular  recess  formed  by  the  bar  and  wall  at  the  heel 
of  the  hoof,  are  eminently  serviceable  in  checking  the  tend- 
ency to  slip;  the  animal  instinctively^  plants  the  posterior 
portions  of  the  foot  exclusively  on  the  ground. 

"  Dark  hoofs  are  generally  the  best ;  they  owe  their  color 
to  the  presence  of  minute  particles  of  black  pigment,  which 


24 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


Fig.  9. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  25 

colli. j'ns  a  notable  proportion  of  iron,  and  are  somewhat 
resisting-  and  indestructible. 

*^  A  good  hoof  should  have  the  wall  unbroken,  its  outer 
face  smooth  and  even  ;  the  angle  at  the  front  not  less  than 
50° — the  lower  or  ground  face  of  the  front  hoof  should  be 
nearly  circular  in  outline— the  sole  slightly  concave  at  the 
circumference,  deeper  at  the  centre;  the  border  of  the  w^all 
ought  to  be  thick  at  the  toe,  gradually  thinning  toward 
the  heels,  but  at  the  inflexion  or  commencement  of  the  bar 
a  strong  mass  of  horn  should  be  found  ;  the  bars  should  be 
free  from  fracture,  and  the  frog  moderately  developed,  firm 
and  solid. 

"  The  hind  foot  should  possess  the  same  soundness  of 
horn,  though  it  differs  from  the  fore  hoof  in  being-  more 
oval  in  outline  from  the  toe  to  the  heels  ;  the  sole  is  also 
more  concave,  the  frog-  smaller,  and  the  heels  not  so  high. 
The  horn  is  usually  less  hard  and  resisting — a  circum- 
stance perhaps  due  to  the  hind  feet  being  more  frequently 
exposed  to  humidity  in  the  stable  than  the  fore  ones." 

VIEW  OF  THE  BONES  OF  THE  FOOT. 

Fig.  9  shows  a  foot  from  which  the  skin  and  flesh  have 
been  taken  and  gives  a  view  of  the  exact  location  of  the 
bones.  A,  represents  the  upper  pastern ;  B,  the  lower  past- 
ern ;  and  (7,  the  coffin-bone. 

Now  in  order  that  all  tlie  bones  and  joints  should  work 
properly  it  is  necessary  to  keep  the  foot  at  an  angle  of  about 
50  to  56  degrees.  If  we  get  the  heel  too  high  it  is  just  as 
bad  as  it  is  to  get  it  too  low.    Therefore  particular  pains 


26 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


Fig.  10. 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING.  27 

should  be  taken  in  leveling"  the  foot  in  all  cases  so  as  not  to 
allow  the  horse  to  rock  one  way  or  the  other. 

SECTIONAL  VIEW  OF  FOOT  AND  LEG. 

Fig".  10  represents  a  sectional  view  of  the  foot  and  a  por- 
tion of  the  leg-  of  a  horse.  A,  shows  the  cannon-bone  at  the 
fetlock  joint ;  J5,  is  the  upper  pastern  ;  while  (7,  is  the  coro- 
nary or  lower  pastern  bone ;  D,  is  the  coffin-bone ;  E,  the 
navicular  or  nut  bone  ;  F,  represents  one  of  the  sesamoid 
bones  ;  G,  the  sensitive  frog ;  H,  the  sensitive  sole  ;  7,  the 
honw  sole ;  J,  the  outside  crust  or  wall ;  K,  the  sensitive 
laminge ;  L,  the  main  cord  or  tendon  that  runs  up  and  down 
the  back  of  the  leg ;  il/,  show^s  the  tendon  of  the  extensor 
muscle  of  the  foot  and  coronar^^  bones.  It  can  be  readily 
seen  by  a  careful  examination  of  this  illustration  that  it 
is  absoluteh'  necessary  to  keep  the  foot  at  a  cei'tain  angle 
or  slant,  somewhere  between  50  and  56  degrees,  in  order 
that  the  joints  ma^'  perform  their  offices  properlj' . 

DISSECTED  LEG   OF  A   HORSE. 

Fig.  11  shows  a  foot  and  portion  of  the  leg  dissected,  all 
the  hair  and  flesh  being  removed  so  as  to  show  the  tendons, 
arteries  and  blood  vessels.  M,  is  the  main  cord  or  tendon 
that  runs  up  and  down  the  back  of  the  leg;  N,  is  the  ex- 
tensor muscle  of  the  foot ;  O,  shows  the  lateral  cartilages, 
while  P  represents  the  plantar  nerve.  The  lower  il/ shows 
the  sensitive  laminae,  Avhile  L  represents  the  outside  crust 
or  wall. 


28 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 


Fig.  11. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEINa.  '29 


CHAPTER  III. 

HOW  THE   HOOF  GROWS. 

In  any  treatise  on  shoeing*,  the  grotvth  of  the  hoof  can- 
not be  left  out  of  consideration,  as  on  it  the  foot,  in  an  un- 
shod condition,  depends  for  an  efficient  protection,  while 
without  this  process  the  farrier's  art  w^ould  quickly  be  of 
no  avail. 

In  its  unarmed  state,  the  hoof  being"  exposed  to  contin- 
ual wear  on  its  lower  surface,  from  contact  with  the 
ground  on  which  the  animal  stands  or  moves,  is  unceasing- 
ly regenerated  by  the  living  tissues  within.  We  have  al- 
ready referred  to  the  special  apparatus  which  is  more  im- 
mediately concerned  in  this  work  of  regeneration,  and 
pointed  out  that  the  wall  with  the  laminae  on  its  inner 
face  *  is  formed  from  the  coronary  cushion  at  the  upper 
part  of  the  foot ;  the  sole  from  the  living  membrane  cover- 
ing the  lower  face  of  the  pedal  bone  ;  and  the  frog  from  the 
plantar  cushion.  It  has  been  also  mentioned  that  this 
dead  horny  envelop,  instead  of  being  merely  in  juxtaposi- 
tion with  this  exquisitely  sensitive  secretory  membrane,  is 
ever^^where  penetrated  to  a  certain  depth  on  its  inner  face 


*  It  is  generally  stated  that  the  horny  leaves  are  formed  by  the  sensi- 
tive ones,  with  which  they  are  in  such  close  nnion.  That  this  is  an 
error,  the  microscope,  physiology,  and  pathological  experience, 
abundantly  testify. 


80  ARTISTIC  HORSE- SHOEING. 

(with  the  exception  of  the  portion  of  the  wall  covered  with 
the  horny  leaves)  by  multitudes  of  minute  processes  named 
villi,  which  are  not  only  concerned  in  the  growth  of  the 
horn-fibres,  acting-  as  moulds  for  them,  and  endowing  the 
hoof  with  that  degree  of  lightness,  elasticity,  and  tough- 
ness, which  are  so  necessary  to  its  efficiency,  but  also  make 
this  insensitive  case  a  most  useful  organ  of  touch. 

The  growth  of  the  horn  takes  place  by  the  deposition 
of  new  material  from  the  secreting  surface ;  this  deposi- 
tion is  effected  at  the  commencement  or  root  of  the  fibres ; 
where  the  horn  is  yet  soft,  and  its  incessant  operation 
causes  these  fibres  to  be  mechanically  extended  or  pushed 
downward  tow^ard  the  ground  in  a  mass.  Once  formed 
they  are  submitted  to  no  other  change  than  that  of  becom- 
ing denser,  harder,  less  elastic,  and  drier,  as  they  recede 
farther  from  the  surface  from  which  they  originated. 

So  regulated  is  this  growth,  generally,  in  every  part  of 
the  hoof,  that  it  would  appear  that  the  secreting  mem- 
brane is  endowed  with  an  equal  activity  throughout. 

But,  though  this  equality  in  the  amount  of  horn  secreted 
over  so  wide  a  sui^face  is  an  undoubted  fact,  yet  it  must 
not  be  forgotten  that,  under  the  influence  of  certain  condi- 
tions, the  growth  or  descent  of  the  corneous  material  may 
be  effected  in  an  irregular  manner,  either  through  a  partic- 
ular portion  of  the  secretory  apparatus  assuming  a  more 
energetic  activity,  or  being*  hindered  more  or  less  in  its 
function. 

For  instance,  the  way  in  which  the  foot  is  planted  on  the 
ground  has  a  most  marked  influence,  not  only  on  the  amount 
of  horn  secreted,  but  also  on  that  subjected  to  wear. 


ARTISTIC   HORSE- SHOEING.  31 

When  the  superincumbent  weig-ht  is  equally  distributed 
over  the  lower  face  of  the  hoof,  the  foot  may  be  said  to  be 
properly  placed  as  a  basis  of  support  to  the  limb.  But 
when,  through  mismanagement  or  defective  form,  this  base 
is  uneven — one  side  higher  than  the  other,  for  example — 
the  weight  must  fall  on  the  lowest  part  to  a  greater  degree 
than  the  highest ;  thus  causing  not  only  disturbance  in  the 
direction  of  the  limb  and  its  movements,  but  considerably 
modifying  the  growth  of  the  horn.  This  growth  is  dimin- 
ished at  the  part  subjected  to  most  pressure — in  all  pro- 
bability from  the  smaller  quantity  of  blood  allowed  to  be 
circulated  through  the  secretory  surface ;  while  to  the  side 
which  is  subjected  to  the  least  compression,  the  blood  is 
abundantl}^  supplied,  and  the  formation  of  the  horn  is  con- 
sequently augmented.  This  is  a  fact  of  much  importance 
and  practical  interest  in  farriery,  as  it  demonstrates  that 
any  irregularity  in  the  distribution  of  the  weight  of  the 
bod}''  has  a  prejudicial  effect  on  the  secreting  apparatus  of 
the  organ,  and,  as  a  result,  on  the  form  of  the  hoof. 

When  the  weight  is  evenly  imposed  on  the  foot,  this 
apparatus,  being  uniformly  compressed  throughout  its  ex- 
tent, receives  everywhere  an  equal  quantity  of  the  horn- 
producing  material. 

It  is  the  same  with  the  ivear  of  the  hoof.  A  just  dis- 
position of  the  weight  is  a  necessary  condition  of  the  regu- 
larity of  wear.  While  the  animal  is  standing  on  unshod 
hoofs,  the  wear  of  horn  is  slight ;  it  is  in  movement  that  it 
becomes  increased,  and  this  increase  is  generally  in  pro- 
portion to  the  speed,  the  weight  carried,  nature  of  the 
ground,  and  whether  its  surface  be  wet  or  dry.     Each  por- 


32  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOETXG. 

tion  of  the  lower  face  of  the  hoof — wall,  sole,  bar,  and  frog 
— should  take  its  share  of  wear  and  strain  ;  but  it  will  be 
readily  understood  that  this  cannot  be  properly  effected  if 
the  weig"ht  is  thrown  more  upon  one  side  than  the  other; 
that  part  which  receives  the  largest  share  will  be  subjected 
to  the  g'reatest  amount  of  loss  from  wear,  and  this,  with 
the  diminished  secretion  of  horn,  will  tend  to  distort  the 
foot  and  limb  still  more. 

In  a  well-formed  leg-  and  foot  the  degrees  ot  resistance 
of  the  different  parts  of  the  hoof  are  so  well  apportioned  to 
the  amount  of  wear  to  be  sustained,  that  all  are  equally  re- 
duced by  contact  with  the  ground,  and  the  whole  is  main- 
tained in  a  perfect  condition  as  regards  growth  and  wear. 

The  amount  of  growth,  even  in  a  well-proportioned 
foot,  varies  considerably^  in  different  animals,  according  to 
the  activity  prevailing  in,  or  the  development  of,  the  secret- 
ing apparatus  ;  and  in  this  respect  the  operations  of  the 
farrier,  as  we  will  notice  hereafter,  are  not  without  much 
influence. 

It  may  be  laid  down  as  a  rule,  that  the  horn  grows 
more  rapidly  in  warm  dry  climates,  than  in  cold  wet  ones  ; 
in  healthy  energetic  animals,  than  in  those  which  are  soft 
and  weakly  ;  during  exercise,  than  in  repose ;  in  young, 
than  in  old  animals.  Food,  labor  and  shoeing,  also  add 
their  influence ;  while  the  seasons  are  to  some  extent  con- 
cerned in  the  growth  and  shape  of  the  hoof.  In  winter 
it  widens,  becomes  softer,  and  grows  but  little  ;  in  sum- 
mer it  is  condensed,  becomes  more  rigid,  concave,  and 
resisting,  is  exposed  to  sevei-er  wear,  and  grows  more 
rapidly  ;   this  variation  is  a   provision  of  Nature  to  enable 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEiKG.  33 

the  hoof  to  adapt  itself  to  the  altered  conditions  it  has 
to  meet :  hard  horn  to  hard  ground,  soft  horn  to  soft 
g-round. 

'  In  this  way  Ave  can  account  for  the  influence  of  local it\^ 
upon  the  shape  of  the  foot.  On  hard,  dry  ground,  the  hoof 
is  dense,  tenacious,  and  small,  with  concave  sole,  and  a 
little  but  firm  frog ;  in  marshy  regions,  it  is  large  and 
spreading,  the  horn  soft  and  easily  destroyed  by  wear,  the 
sole  thin  and  flat,  and  the  frog  an  immense  spongy  mass 
which  is  badlj'  fitted  to  receive  pressure  from  slightly 
hardened  soil.  In  a  dr}^  climate,  we  have  an  animal  small, 
compact,  wiry,  and  vigorous,  traveling  on  a  surface  which 
demands  a  tenacious  hoof,  and  not  one  adapted  to  prevent 
sinking ;  in  the  marsh}^  region  we  have  a  large,  heavy, 
lymphatic  creature,  one  of  whose  primary  requirements 
is  a  foot  designed  to  ti'avel  on  a  soft  yielding  surface. 
Change  the  respective  situations  of  these  two  horses,  and 
Nature  immediately  begins  to  transform  them  and  their 
feet.  The  light,  excitable,  vigorous  horse,  with  its  small 
vertical  hoofs  and  concave  soles,  so  admirably  disposed  to 
traverse  rocky  and  slippery  surfaces,  is  physically'  incom- 

■  petent  to  exist  on  low-ljing  swamps  ;  while  the  unwiekl  v 
animal,  slow-paced  and  torpid,  with  a  foot  perfectly  adapt- 
ed to  such  a  region — its  ground  face  being  so  extensive  and 
flat  that  it  sinks  but  little,  and  the  frog  developed  to  such 
a  degree  as  to  resemble  a  ploughshare  in  form,  which  gives 
it  a  grip  of  the  soft,  slippery  ground— is  but  indifferently 
suited  for  traveling  on  a  hard,  rugged  surface.  In  pro- 
cess of  time,  however,  the  small  concave  hoof  expands  and 
flattens,  and  the  large  flat  one  gradually  becomes  conceu- 


84  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

trated,  hardened,  and  hollow,  to  suit  the  altered  ph3^sical 
conditions  in  which  they  are  placed. 

The  degree  of  health  possessed  by  the  horn-secreting 
apparatus  at  any  time  has  also  much  to  do  with  its  activity 
in  generating-  new  material.  When  its  blood-vessels  be- 
come congested  or  contracted  from  some  cause  or  other, 
its  function  is  in  a  proportionate  degree  suspended,  and  the 
hoof  grows  in  an  irregular  manner,  and  may  be  altered  in 
thickness,  texture,  and  quality. 

In  the  ordinary  conditions  of  town  work  and  stable 
management,  I  have  observed  that  the  wall  of  a  healthy 
foot — its  chief  portion,  so  far  as  farriery  is  concerned — 
grows  down  from  the  coronet  at  the  rate  of  about  one- 
quarter  of  an  inch  per  month,  and  that  the  entire  wall  of  a 
medium-sized  hoof  has  been  regenerated  in  from  nine  to 
twelve  meonths. 

The  pi^ocess  of  growth  can  be  greatl}^  accelerated  and 
exaggerated  by  irritating  the  surface  which  throws  out  the 
horn  material.  Thus  a  blister,  hot  iron,  or  any  other 
irritant  or  stimulant  applied  to  this  part,  Avill  induce  not 
only  a  more  rapid  formation,  but  one  in  which  increased 
thickness  is  a  marked  feature. 


ARTISTIC  HOKSE-SHOEING.  35 


CHAPTER  IV. 

HORSE-SHOEIXG  TO  PREVENT  OR  CURE  LAMENESS  OR  CORRECT 
FAULTY    ACTION. 


LEVELING    PLATE. 

Every  horse-shoer  oug-ht  to  have  a  leveling*  plate.  I  use 
a  piece  of  marble  sa^^  twelve  inches  square  and  two  inches 
thick.  After  the  shoe  has  been  fitted  to  the  foot  I  then  heat 
it.  By  gently  hammering"  it  on  the  marble  slab  I  make  it 
perfectly  level.  A  great  many  heat  the  shoe  hot  and  then 
hy  applying-  it  to  the  foot  it  is  easj^  to  see  exactly  which 
portion  of  the  hoof  needs  to  come  off.  I  never  put  a  hot 
shoe  near  the  foot.  After  the  shoe  is  made  level  on  the 
marble  slab  I  then  make  the  foot  level  to  correspond. 

FORGING. 

This  is  a  very  bad  habit.  A  horse  thatforg-es  continually 
is  not  regarded  as  very  valuable.  It  is  not  particularly 
troublesome  to  overcome  this  habit.  There  are  many  dif- 
ferent ideas  on  the  subject,  however.  I  have  had  horsemen 
come  into  my  shop  and  say  to  me,  ''If  you  put  the  front 
shoes  on  too  long-  the  horse  will  pull  them  off."  I  know  of 
a  good  man3^  horses  that  I  have  ruined,  before  I  learned  any 
better,  by  putting  the  shoes  on  too  short.  When  too  short 
in  the  first  place  they  become  still  shorter  of  course  after  llie 
shoes  are  reset.     Now  does  it  look  reasonable  that  we  ought 


86  ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 

to  cripple  our  horses  in  their  front  feet  by  short  shoes  in 
order  to  keep  the  hind  feet  from  striking  ?  Let  us  try  to 
find  out  wliat  forging-  is  anyhow.  It  is  simply  that  the 
horse  has  more  action  behind  than  in  front.  The  hind  feet 
are  thrown  forward  and  strike  the  front  feet  before  they 
can  get  out  of  the  way.  Obviously  the  only  way  to  over- 
come this  trouble  is  to  increase  the  action  of  the  horse  in 
front  and  retard  it  behind.  To  do  this  I  use  a  heavy  toe- 
weight  shoe  on  the  front  foot  to  make  the  horse  reach 
farther.  After  the  front  shoe  has  been  nailed  on,  take  a 
rule  and  measure  the  distance  from  the  coronet  to  the 
bottom  part  of  the  toe.  Also  observe  the  slant  of  the  front 
foot.  Then  measure  the  hind  foot  the  same  way  and  it  will 
be  found  in  most  cases  that  the  hind  foot  is  from  ^  to  1 
inch  the  shortest.  The  shorter  the  foot  the  quicker  it  can 
be  raised  of  course.  Now  I  place  my  shoe  on  the  hind  foot 
so  that  the  toe  will  project  enough  to  make  the  distance 
from  the  coronet  to  the  bottom  of  the  shoe  the  same  as  tlie 
distance  from  the  coronet  to  the  bottom  of  the  shoe  on  the 
front  foot.  The  longer  the  hind  foot  is  the  longer  time  it 
takes  for  the  horse  to  raise  it  in  traveling.  To  set  the 
shoe  back  on  the  hind  foot  onl^^  makes  the  horse  forge 
all  the  moi'e,  for  he  is  able  to  get  his  hind  foot  up  much 
quicker  than  his  front  foot.  Then  if  you  let  the  shoe 
extend  out  pretty  well  behind  and  make  the  projecting 
portion  pretty  heavy  it  will  tend  to  delay  the  action  of  the 
feet  behind  and  prevent  the  horse  raising  his  feet  so  higli, 
and  if  he  does  not  raise  his  feet  so  lugli  he  will  not  of 
course  throw  them  so  far  forward  and  your  object  is 
accomplished. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEINa.  37 


TO  SHOE  A  KNEE-SPRUNG  HORSE  OR  A  KNUCKLER. 

The  difficulties  above  mentioned  are  broiig"ht  on  by  using* 
too  sliort  shoes.  They  ma^^  also  be  produced  in  other 
ways.  I  think  many  horse  owners  contribute  to  bring* 
about  these  troubles  by  permitting  the  shoes  to  remain  on 
too  long.  Some  people  will  never  get  a  horse  shod  until 
the  shoes  drop  off,  on  account  of  the  expense.  It  thus 
happens  that  in  many  cases  the  shoes  remain  on  the  feet, 
six,  eight  or  twelve  weeks.  Of  course  the  foot  grows  out 
long  and  in  climbing  over  this  long  toe  with  a  large  toe- 
calk  on  the  shoe  the  horse  strains  the  cords  and  tendons  of 
the  leg  and  when  3^ou  stop  him  he  will  '^  go  over  a  little  " 
as  it  is  termed.  A  horse  does  this  to  ease  the  strain  on  the 
cords  of  his  leg  and  he  will  keep  doing  it  more  and  more  as 
long  as  the  trouble  exists.  After  a  while  the  cords  con- 
tract, and,  failing  to  resume  their  natural  position  the 
horse  is  knee-sprung  or  knuckled.  It  is  very  hard  to  cure 
a  knee-sprung  horse,  but  they  can  be  helped  very  much.  I 
dress  the  foot  perfectly  level  as  in  all  other  cases  and  make 
a  good  long  shoe,  one  that  will  run  out  behind  the  foot  say 
one  or  two  inches.  Put  on  a  small  heel-calk  with  no 
toe-calks.  Nearly  all  horse  owners  when  the}^  think  a 
horse's  legs  are  strained  use  some  strong  liniment  or  a 
blister.  In  all  cases  of  this  sort  there  is  a  great  deal 
of  fever  in  the  legs  ard  we  want  to  take  out  the  fever, 
not  put  on  something-  that  will  create  more.  Further 
along  in  this  work  a  recipe  Avill  be  found  for  a  prepara- 
tion for  sprains,  soreness  of  the  tendons  or  any  enlarge- 
jnent  of  the  leg", 


38  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


FITTING  THE   SHOE   TO   THE   FOOT. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  important  points  in  horse-shoeing. 
In  traveling-  about  giving  instruction  to  all  classes  of 
people,  I  have  found  a  great  man}^  so-called  horse-shoers 
who  had  not  worked  at  the  ti-ade  more  than  six  months 
perhaps.  Often  as  quick  as  a  man  gets  so  that  he  can 
dress  a  foot  or  fit  up  a  shoe  he  calls  himself  a  good  horse- 
shoer  and  will  start  a  shop.  In  order  to  secure  work  it  is 
necessary  for  such  a  man  to  put  prices  down  very  low.  In 
my  experience  I  have  found  that  tAvo-thirds  of  the  crippled 
horses  have  been  made  so  by  just  such  horse-shoers  as  I 
have  described  above.  I  call  them  horse-shoers  for  con- 
venience only.  Some  of  them  will  never  be  horse-shoers. 
Nevertheless  they  think  when  they  put  a  shoe  on,  it  is  as 
good  work  as  anybod^^  can  do,  and  usually  such  men  are 
very  much  averse  to  learning  how  to  shoe.  I  commenced 
helping  my  father  at  the  forge  when  only  eleven  3^ears  old 
and  have  worked  at  the  trade  ever  since,  and  I  think  it  safe 
to  say  that  I  shod  horses  fully  twenty  years  before  I  really 
knew  an^^thing  about  it.  Now  somebod^^  will  ask,  how  it  is 
possible  that  you  could  work  so  long  without  knowing 
anything  about  horse-shoing\  It  is  simply  because  I  knew 
it  all  in  the  first  place.  I  knew  so  much  that  I  did  not 
want  to  be  told  anything,  and  so  went  on  year  after  year 
in  the  same  old  rut  doing  more  harm  than  good  all  the 
time. 

After  I  had  been  compelled  to  pay  for  three  valuable 
horses  I  spoilt  by  bad  shoeing,  it  occurred  to  me  I  did  not 
know  as  much  as  I  thought  I  did.     Then  I  invested  every 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  39 

dollar  I  was  worth  and  made  an  effort  to  learn  how  to  shoe 
horses.  I  sought  the  best  instructors  I  could  hear  of  and 
found  out  that  I  had  been  all  wrong*  in  what  I  had  been 
doing. 

No  man  should  be  permitted  to  shoe  a  horse  who  has  not 
passed  an  examination  by  a  competent  board  appointed  for 
the  purpose.  He  should  be  compelled  to  study  the  horse's 
foot  and  understand  it  before  being  permitted  to  set  a  shoe. 

A  great  man^^  horse  owners  ruin  their  horses  b}^  taking 
them  to  men  who  know  nothing  whatever  about  the 
anatomy  of  the  foot.  The  main  idea  of  the  average  horse 
owner  seems  to  be  to  seek  out  and  patronize  the  man  who 
will  shoe  the  cheapest  and  make  the  shoes  stay  the  longest, 
and  they  don't  hesitate  to  call  such  a  man  a  good  horse- 
shoer.  Very  few  probably  know  that  a  valuable  horse 
may  be  completely  ruined  by  an  incompetent  man  in  two 
or  three  shoeings.  Some  horses  will  stand  poor  shoeing 
for  quite  a  while,  but  in  the  end  they  are  sure  to  be  injured. 

"Ko  frog,  no  foot;  no  foot,  no  horse,"  is  a  true  saying. 
I  claim  that  no  horse  should  go  over  four  weeks  without 
having  the  shoes  removed  and  the  dry  feverish  growth  of 
the  hoof  rasped  away;  that  portion  that  Avould  wear  out 
naturally  if  the  horse  was  not  shod  at  all. 

GETTING  THE   ANGLE   OF   THE   FOOT. 

When  I  have  a  horse  to  shoe  I  try  and  ascertain  the  cor- 
rect angle  of  the  foot  to  start  with.  Then  dress  the  foot 
perfectly  level  in  all  cases,  aiming  not  to  have  one  side  an^^ 
higher  than  the  other.  T  do  not  cut  away  the  bars  or 
braces  as  I  did  in  the   days  gone  by,  neither  do  I  cut  the 


40  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

frog-,  which  is  the  natural  cushion  of  the  foot,  taking"  off  the 
the  concussion  caused  by  the  striking  of  the  foot  on  the 
ground.  In  the  natural  state  the  frog  is  shed  every  three 
months  and  should  not  be  cut  at  all.  If  cut  the  pores  will 
open  and  the  natural  moisture  is  permitted  to  dry  out  and 
the  frog  becomes  hard.  Cutting  the  frog-  will  injure  the 
growth  of  the  foot  materially.  I  never  touch  the  frog 
except  to  cut  off  the  ragged  edges  as  they  are  being  shed. 
The  nearer  the  frog  can  come  to  the  ground  the  better. 

When  large  calks  are  used  and  the  foot  raised  from  the 
ground  all  the  bearing  on  the  frog  is  removed,  causing  the 
foot  to  draw  up,  the  heels  to  draw  in,  and  in  a  short  time 
you  have  a  bad  case  of  contraction  on  hand. 

In  taveling  about  I  have  a  wagon  that  with  its  contents 
w^eighs  not  less  than  4,800  lbs.,  and  this  is  pulled  over  hills 
and  the  roughest  country  roads  without  any  calks  on  the 
front  feet  of  my  horses.  The  front  feet  of  a  horse  act  very 
much  as  the  forward  trucks  of  a  locomotive.  They  carry 
about  two-thirds  of  a  horse's  weight.  The  hind  feet  and 
legs  are  the  propelling  power  which  tlirows  the  animal 
forward  when  in  motion. 

If  calks  are  desired  they  should  be  put  on  the  hind  feet. 
I  never  put  on  a  hind  shoe  without  a  little  heel  calk.  It 
helps  take  the  strain  off  the  tendons.  If  a  flat"  shoe  is  used 
in  front  it  can  be  made  shorter  when  calked.  If  flat  let  the 
shoe  extend  back  as  far  as  the  crust  of  the  hoof.  When 
the  shoe  is  flat  it  permits  the  frog-  to  come  to  the  g-round 
and  all  the  cords  and  tendons  of  the  leg  are  receiving  their 
proper  support.  If  Ave  put  on  calks  and  take  the  frog* 
away  from  the  ground  it  will  be  necessary  to  make  the  shoe 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


41 


at  least  from  one-half  to  one  inch  long-er.  If  this  is  not 
done  the  horse  will  have  a  tendency  to  rock  back  and  then 
this  causes  knee  springing-  or  knuckling-. 

Short  shoes  ai-e  a  great  mistake  in  shoeing  horses  with 
calks. 

BAR   SHOE. 

Fig.  12  shows  a  bar  shoe  which  is  the  nearest  approach  to 


Fig.  12.— Bar  Shoe. 

nature  in  my  opinion  that  we  can  get.  When  no  shoes  are 
used  the  weight  of  the  animal  comes  largely  on  the  frog 
which^  as  is  well  known,  acts  as  a  sort  of  cusluon  to  relieve 
the  pressure  on  the  foot.  When  a  bar  shoe  is  used  in  shoe- 
ing, the  bar  presses  on  the  frog  and  we  get  practically  the 


42  ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 

same  effect  as  though  the  horse  were  traveling-  without 
shoes. 

I  suppose  that  I  had  shod  horses  for  twenty  years,  more 
or  less,  before  I  knew  why  bar  shoes  were  necessar3^  Of 
course  when  a  man  makes  and  applies  a  shoe  which  he  does 
not  know  the  use  of,  he  naturally  is  liable  to  many  faults  in 
construction.  Some  people  condemn  bar  shoes  but  it  is  be- 
cause they  do  not  know  their  uses,  or  how  to  make  them,  or 
how  to  put  them  on. 

A  man  must  know  in  the  first  place  that  the  horse 
brought  to  him  to  be  shod  need's  a  bar  shoe.  He  must  un- 
derstand the  exact  condition  that  the  foot  is  in  and  what 
sort  of  a  bar  shoe  is  best  for  that  particular  condition. 
Sometimes  w^e  find  horses  with  soft  frogs  and  in  other  cases 
they  have  hard  frogs.  Now  formerly  I  did  not  know  but  I 
could  put  on  a  bar  shoe  as  Avell  Avith  a  hard  frog  as  with  a 
soft  frog.  Right  here  let  me  explain  the  secret  of  success 
with  bar  shoes.  If  the  frog  is  soft  so  that  you  can  move  it 
easily  with  your  hands  it  will  bear  all  the  pressure  which 
you  can  get  from  the  bar  shoe,  but  if  it  is  dried  up  and  hard 
it  will  not  do  to  apply  a  bar  shoe  until  some  measures  have 
been  taken  to  soften  the  f  i*og,  otherwise  the  pressure  on  the 
hard  frog  will  be  so  strong  as  to  push  the  frog  up  into  the 
sensitive  portion  of  the  foot  and  lame  the  horse.  Of  course 
the  object  of  a  bar  shoe  in  all  cases  is  to  remove  the  bearing 
from  the  heels  where  there  is  tenderness  arising  either  from 
corns  or  from  hard  pounding  on  pavements  or  liard  roads. 

In  cases  where  the  frog  is  hard  it  can  be  softened  by  soak- 
ing the  feet  for  a  time  in  warm  water  and  applying  wai-m 
flaxseed  meal  poultices  at  night  until  the  foot  is  brought 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  43 

into  its  proper  condition.  I  use  this  particular  shoe  for 
all  bad  cases  of  contraction  or  Avhere,  as  some  shoers  term 
it,  the  foot  is  hoof  hound.  I  rasp  the  points  of  the  heels  down 
so  that  when  the  shoe  is  on  there  is  a  little  space  between  the 
heels  and  the  shoe,  the  pressure  of  the  bar  coming-  on  the 
frog-.  When  the  horse  steps  the  weight  comes  on  the  bar, 
the  bar  presses  on  the  frog  and  the  frog  will  settle  enough 
to  let  the  heels  down  easily  upon  the  shoe.  Under  these 
circumstances  of  course  the  heel  will  naturallj^  expand  more 
or  less  and  the  contraction  after  a  time  be  relieved. 

I  am  not  in  favor  of  artificial  spreaders  of  any  kind.  I 
believe  the  frog  to  be  the  best  spreader  in  the  world. 

No  clip  is  used  whatever  and  in  fact  I  have  not  put  a  clip 
on  any  shoe  in  the  last  six  years.  Man^^  shoers  seem  to 
think  they  cannot  get  along  without  using  side  clips  and  toe 
clips.  Wherever  a  clip  is  used  it  is  necessar^^,  of  course,  to 
cut  through  the  outside  wall.  The  clip  rests  on  the  sensi- 
tive laxnin^e  and  ever^^  time  a  horse  strikes  anything"  hard 
there  is  irritation  of  the  blood  vessels,  arteries  and  nerves. 
If  we  dress  the  foot  perfectly  level,  fitting  the  shoes  cold 
and  using  a  good  nail  there  is  no  trouble  in  making  them 
stay  on  longer  in  fact  than  they  ought  to  stay. 

No  horse  should  keep  shoes  on  over  four  or  five  weeks  at 
the  outside  without  having  them  removed  and  the  dry  fe- 
verish overgrowth  cut  awaj^ 

TOE  TIPS. 

Fig.  13  represents  a  toe  tip.  This  form  of  shoe  comes 
the  nearest  to  nature  of  any  one  made.  By  its  use  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  quarters  and  frog  come  in  contact  with  the 


44 


AKTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


i^round.  I  claim  that  the  frog  is  the  best  spreader  of  the 
foot  in  the  world.  I  never  use  an 3^  artificial  spreader  de- 
pending- entirely  on  the  frog  to  do  the  business.  In  all  bad 
cases  of  contraction  either  use  the  toe  tip,  the  bar,  or  the 
double  half -bar,  and  let  the  frog  come  in  contact  with  the 
ground.  This  shoe  should  be  made  of  f-inch  steel  and  as 
thick  towards  the  quarters  as  towards  the  toe.    Be  sure 


Fig.  13.— Toe  Tip. 


and  fit  it  to  the  foot.  After  it  is  fitted,  mark  just  as  far 
back  as  it  goes  and  notch  in  the  hoof  and  set  the  tip  in.  By 
this  means  the  toe  is  kept  down  to  the  same  level  as  the 
heels  and  quarters.  By  slanting  the  tip  towards  the  heels 
the  toe  is  raised  too  high  and  lets  the  horse  rock  too  far 
back,  straining  the  main  cords  and  tendons  and  in  a  short 
time  the  horse  will  be  knee-sprung. 

.  I  have  used  this  toe  tip  right  on  the  pavements  in  the 
cities  of  Scranton,  Philadelphia,  Buffalo,  Binghamton,New 
York  City,  and  in  other  places  two  numerous  to  mention, 


ARTISTIC  HORSE- SHOEING.  4:5 

with  the  most  satisfactory^  results.     Some  horses  will  not 
stand  it,  hut  others  will. 

HALF-BAR  SHOE  FOR  THE  FRONT  FOOT. 

Fig.  14  represents  a  half-har  shoe.    This  shoe  can  be  made 
from  machine-made  shoes  sometimes,  hut  generally  I  turn 


Fig.  14— Half-Bar  Shoe. 

m^^  own  shoes.  A,  shows  the  point  where  the  hend  should 
be  made  to  form  the  half-har.  Shape  the  shoe  so  that  the 
half-har  will  press  on  one-half  of  the  frog.  In  cases  where 
one  quarter  is  broken  down  or  wired  in,  this  shoe  can  be 
set  to  very  great  advantage.  The  other  side  of  the  shoe  of 
course  should  be  shaped  in  the  usual  Avay. 

In  cases  of  bad  quarter  crack  where  the  trouble  is  all  on 
one  side  I  use  this  shoe.     I  also  use  it  for  bad  cases  of  corns. 


46 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


In  shoeing"  either  for  quarter  cracks  or  corns  I  do  not  let 
the  quarters  touch  the  shoe.  When  the  quarter  grows  out 
or  the  shoe  has  pressed  down  so  that  the  quarter  touches, 
the  shoe  should  be  removed  and  a  sufRcient  amount  of  hoof 
removed  to  keep  the  shoe  from  touching  the  quarter.     Any 


Fig.  15.— Toe- Weight  Shoe. 


quarter,  crack  or  corn,  can  be  removed  if  the  pressure  is 
kept  on  the  frog  and  away  from  the  seat  of  disturbance. 


TOE- WEIGHT   SHOES. 

Fig.  15  represents  a  shoe  Avith  a  toe-weight.  It  is  made 
out  of  heavy  iron,  say  one  inch  or  one-and-a-quarter  inches 
by    one-and-a-half  inches.     Fuller  at  A  to  the  thickness 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  47 

you  want,  then   draw  out  the  heels  as  lig-ht  as  j^ou  wish 
them  to  be. 

I  prefer  this  shoe  to  any  toe-weight  placed  on  the  foot, 
and  I  believe  that  the  action  of  any  horse  can  be  increased 
with  this  shoe,  and  the  horse  can  be  balanced  quicker  and 
easier  than  by  the  toe-weights  on  the  top  of  the  foot. 


Fig.  16.— Toe-Weight  Shoe  (Concaved). 

Some  liorse  men  object  to  having  a  horse  carry  the 
weight  in  the  shoe.  Now  reason  will  tell  3^ou  if  a  horse 
carries  the  weight  continually  he  will  get  used  to  it  and  it 
will  not  tire  him  or  strain  the  cords  of  his  legs ;  but  if  we 
give  the  horse  all  his  work  to  do  with  light  shoes  and  when 
we  come  to  speed  him,  put  on  extra  weights  on  the  top  of 


48  ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEINa. 

the  foot  he  msij  be  able  to  go,  say,  a  half  mile  all  rig-ht,  but 
in  trotting-  a  full  mile  is  liable  to  strain  the  cords  of  his  legs, 
because  his  muscle  has  not  been  cultivated  up  to  the  point 
of  carrying  this  extra  weight  successfully. 

I  consider  this  the  best  shoe  ever  made  to  balance  the 
action  of  pacers.  By  this  I  mean,  if  you  want  a  pacer  to 
trot  use  this  form  of  a  toe-weight  with  a  side- weight  behind. 
By  shoeing  in  this  way  I  can  convert  an}^  pacer  into  a 
trotter  when  it  is  thought  desirable  to  do  so.  In  many 
cases  heavy  horses  that  pace  can  be  made  to  trot  faster 
than  they  can  pace.  With  light  horses  it  often  happens 
that  they  can  pace  faster  than  they  can  trot,  so  that  it  is 
not  always  desirable  to  chang-e  their  action. 

Fig.  16  is  a  toe- weight  shoe  concaved  on  the  g-round  sur- 
face, the  object  being  to  prevent  the  horse  from  throwing" 
g-ravel  in  the  ej^es  of  the  driver. 

SHOE   TO   PREVENT  INTERFERING. 

Fig.  17  represents  a  front  foot  shoe  for  interfering  horses. 
There  is  no  question  in  regard  to  stopping-  any  interfering- 
horse  with  this  shoe.  The  main  secret  in  overcoming  inter- 
ference is  to  get  a  direct  side  weight.  All  the  weight  that 
passes  the  point  of  the  frog  on  the  other  side  deadens  the 
weight  we  have  on  the  outside  and  tends  to  overcome  the 
attemptto  produce  a  side-weight  shoe.  This  point  should 
be  carefully  remembered. 

In  making  this  shoe  I  take  say,  ten  inches  of  iron  for  the 
shoe  and  bring  it  out  of  the  fire  with  one-half  of  it  hot.  I 
use  my  fuller  just  half  Avay,  fullering-  down  as  thin  as  I 
want  it.    Then  with  the  hammer  draw  the  inside  web  out, 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  49 

next  bend  the  toe  one-half  and  then  g-o  back  to  the  heavy 
side,  finish,  fuller,  crease  it  and  punch  the  holes.     After 
this  return  to  the  light  side  of  the  shoe   and   finish  that. 
This  g-ives  a  direct  side  weight  to  the  front  foot. 
With  front  foot  shoes  it  is  necessary  to  increase  the  web 


Fia.  17.— Front  Shoe  for  Interfering. 

on  the  inside  because  we  must  have  a  wider  w^b  on  the 
inside  than  we  do  with  hind  foot  shoes. 

There  is  no  guess  w^ork  in  regard  to  this  shoe  if  you  only 
get  weight  enough.  If  you  use  one  of  these  shoes  and  it 
fails  to  prevent  interfering  all  3^ou  have  to  do  is  to  increase 
the  weiglit  of  the  web  until  you  get  enough  to  overbalance 
the  foot  and  accomplish  your  purpose. 

Incase  a  horse  swing's  and  travels  too  Avide  in  front  I  use 


50  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

the  same  style  of  shoe,  but  put  the  weight  on  the  inside.  In 
all  cases  of  ordinary  interfering-  the  Aveight  should  be  put  on 
the  outside  of  the  foot,  with  the  exception  of  the  shoe  de- 
scribed in  Fig.  19. 

HIND  SHOE   FOR    INTERFERING. 

Fig.  18  shows  a  hind  shoe  for  interfering  or  widening  the 
action  of  a  horse  when  it  is  inclined  to  rock  or  shuffle. 


Fig.  18.— Hind  Shoe  for  Interfering. 

I  use  this  shoe  in  all  cases  of  interfering. 

Be  particular  not  to  permit  the  side  weight  to  run  around 
the  point  of  the  frog.  If  you  try  the  slioes  made  in  this  way 
and  they  do  not  seem  to  accomplish  the  purpose  desired, 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  51 

increase  the  weight  and  keep  on  increasing-  until  the  action 
desired  is  secured. 

If  the  horse  hitches  or  runs  behind  (sometimes  called 
single  footing)  use  this  shoe.  If  you  get  weight  enough 
you  Avill  stop  him.  It  requires  weight  to  balance  any  horse, 
and  when  you  get  weight  enough  you  will  balance  him. 


Fig.  19.  ~Sn)E- Weight  Shoe. 
SIDE-WEIGHT   SHOE. 

Fig.  19  represents  a  side- weight  shoe  to  be  used  in  all 
cases  where  horses  have  had  a  knee  or  ankle  broken  and 
the  legs  bend  in.  Tlien  the  weight  should  be  put  on  the  in- 
side on  the  crooked  leg.  This  tends  to  throw  the  foot 
inward  and  conseq^uently  to  straighten  the  knee, 


52 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 


On  the  sound  leg"  I  put  the  weight  on  the  outside  in  all 
cases.  This  shoe  I  have  used  with  good  results  a  great 
many  different  times. 

SHOE   FOR  KNEE-KNOCKING. 

Fis".  20  shows  a  shoe  with  an   outside  weig-ht  extended 


Fig.  20.— Shoe  for  Knee-Knocking. 


around  one-half  of  the  foot.  This  shoe  I  use  in  bad  cases  of 
knee-knocking.  The  illustration  shows  the  ground  surface 
of  the  shoe  made  for  the  right  fi'ont  foot.  As  the  horse 
swings  out  and  strikes  this  outside  weiglit  the  foot  natur- 
ally has  a  tendency  to  strike  on  the  inside  of  the  toe^  whicl; 


ARTISTIC  HORSE -SHOEING.  63 

it  will  be  seen  is  not  creased  and  has  no  nail  holes.  The 
effect  of  this  shoe  is  to  make  the  horse  carry  his  feet  out- 
ward and  awa}^  from  the  other  foot,  preventing  the  knock- 
ing- of  the  knees  together. 

Make  a  little  crease  on  the  inside  of  the  heel  and  use  three 
nails,  as  showai  in  Fig.  20. 


Fig.  21.— Sn)E- Weight  and  Bar  Combined. 

The  dotted  lines  show  the  position  of  the  foot.  All  that 
portion  of  the  shoe  outside  the  dotted  lines  of  course  will  be 
entirely  outside  of  the  foot. 

I  made  the  first  one  of  these  shoes  that  was  ever  made, 
and  have  corrected  more  than  one  hundred  cases  of  knee- 
knocking  horses.     I  have  sliod  horses  in  twenty-one  differ- 


5i  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

ent  States  and  three  Territories  and  never  saw  such  a  shoe 
until  I  made  it. 
This  shoe  can  be  used  with  perfect  safety. 

COMBINED   SIDE-WEIGHT   AND  BAR. 

Fig".  21  represents  a  side-weight  and  a  bar  combined.    In 


Fig.  22.— Four-Calk  Shoe. 

case  3^our  horse  needs  a  bar  shoe  and  you  want  to  use  a 
side-weight  to  widen  his  action  or  to  stop  him  from  inter- 
fering", this  shoe  will  accomplish  the  purpose,  but  be  care- 
ful and  not  let  the  side  weight  pass  the  front  of  the  frog. 
Keep  the  most  of  the  weight  on  one  side  of  the  shoe  and  get 
it  on  exactly  opposite  where  the  horse  hits. 


ARTISTIC   HORSE -SHOEING.  55 

You  will  never  fail  to  correct  a  case  of  interfering"  with 
this  shoe  if  you  only  have  weight  enough. 

FOUR-CALK  SHOE   FOR   RING-BONES,    SPAVINS,    ETC. 

Fig.  22  shows  a  four-calk  shoe  to  be  used  on  horses 
having  ring-bones,  curbs,  spavins  or  sore  tendons.  In  fact 
this  shoe  may  be  used  with  almost  an^^  horse  that  is  lame 
and  for  whom  it  is  painful  to  travel  with  a  high  toe-calk. 
With  the  four-calk  shoe  the  horse  has  a  level  foundation 
and  equal  bearing,  and  when  he  picks  up  his  foot  he  has  no 
toe-calk  to  climb  over,  he  simply  rolls  over  the  front  calk 
as  it  were. 

A  horse  with  ring-bones,  curbs  or  spavins  will  hardly 
limp  with. this  style  of  shoe,  where  he  can  scarcely  hobble 
along  on  an  ordinary  three-calk  shoe. 

In  all  cases  where  an^^thing  is  the  matter  with  a  horse's 
foot  I  raise  the  heel  more  than  I  do  the  toe  and  oftentimes 
no  toe-calk  at  all  is  a  great  deal  better. 

The  closer  we  keep  the  foot  to  the  ground  the  better  it  is 
in  all  cases. 

IMPROVED  SHOE  FOR  TENDER  FEET. 


Fig.  23.  Mr.  Wm.  H.  Russell,  the  author  of  ^^  Scientific 
Horse-Shoeing,"  first  constructed  and  used  this  shoe.  His 
description  of  it  is  as  follows:  '-'This  shoe  is  made  of  steel 
and  is  well  concaved  on  the  ground  surface.  The  bars  are 
made  so  as  to  fit  upon  the  bars  of  the  foot  and  bear  Aveight 
as  the  unshod  hoof  does  in  a  state  of  nature,  preventing 
bruises  in  the  heels  and  quarter  cracks.     I  have  tested  this 


56  ARTISTIC  HORSE- SHOEINa. 

shoe  on  horses  that  were  quite  sore  and  lame,  successfully. 
In  making-  this  shoe  the  bars  are  sprung-  down  from  the 
heel  to  their  points  on  the  ground  surface  about  one-half 
inch.  The  effect  of  this  is  to  soften  and  mellow  the  jar.  If 
the  shoe  is  well  tempered  it  will  allow  the  bars  to  spring  with 
the  horse's  weight,  and  Avill  be  found  one  of  the  best  devices 


Fig.  23.— Shoe  for  Tender  Feet. 

possible  to  relieve  the  effects  of  concussion  in  tender-footed 
horses  as  well  as  to  quicken  the  action  in  trotters,  leaving 
the  frog  firm  and  unimpaired  to  perform  its  important 
functions  of  cushioning  the  foot  and  shielding-  the  sensitive 
parts  from  injury." 

EXTENSION  CALK    SHOE. 

Fig.  24  shows  a  three-calk  shoe  with  an  extension  toe  at 
4.     If  the  horse  is  inclined  to  pull  his  load  from  one  out- 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 


57 


side  point  of  his  toe,  let  the  toe  calk  extend  over  as  at  A. 
Then  when  the  calk  strikes  at  A  it  is  necessar^^  for  the  ani- 
mal to  settle  square  down  on  his  feet  and  go  directly  over 
at  the  toe. 
In  the  case  of  a  great  many  horses  the  outside  quarters 


Fig.  24.— Extension  Calk  Shoe. 


and  calk  will  wear  off  while  the  inside  will  wear  very  lit- 
tle. 

By  the  use  of  this  kind  of  a  shoe  all  this  is  prevented  and 
the  horse  must  travel  i)erfectly  square,  Avhether  he  is  a 
heavy  draught  horse  or  a  light  road  horse, 


58 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


FRONT   FOOT  FLAT   SHOE. 

Fig.  25  represents  a  flat  front  shoe  made  out  of  inch  by 
half-inch  iron.     Crease  all  around  the  toe. 

This  shoe  is  made  perfectly  flat  on  the  ground  surface 


Fig.  25.— Front  Foot  Flat  Shoe. 


and  is  as  good  a  shoe  as  can  be  used  on  front  feet.     The 
nearer  we  keep  the  feet  to  the  ground  the  better. 

Fig.  2G  represents  the  foot  surface  of  the  shoe  shown  in 
Fig.  25,  and  also  gives  a  clear  idea  of  the  concavity  of  this 
side  of  the  shoe, 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


59 


60 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


CONCAVE  SHOE. 

Fig".  27  represents  a  common  front  shoe  concaved  so  as  to 
prevent  picking-  up  g-ravel.  The  shoe  is  made  from  one 
inch  by  one-half  inch  iron,  or  you  can  use  any  weig-ht  of 


Fig.  28.— Shoe  to  Make  a  Horse  Travel  Square. 

iron  that  ma^^  be  needed.  If  the  horse  is  quick  of  action 
the  use  of  this  shoe  will  prevent  his  throwing"  g-ravel  into 
the  face  of  the  driver.  It  is  also  a  good  shoe  to  prevent 
the  balling  of  snow  in  winter,  as  snow  cannot  stick  to  it 
very  well. 


SHOE  TO   MAKE    A   HORSE   TRAVEL  SQUARE. 

Fig.  28  represents  a  shoe  designed   to  make  any  horse 
travel  square.     Some  horses  travel  all  on  one  side  and  one 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


ei 


side  of  the  foot  does  not  seem  to  grow  because  the  animal 
strikes  so  hard  on  that  side  that  it  kills  the  growth  of  the 
horn.  In  applying  this  shoe  first  level  the  foot,  of  course 
as  near  as  possible.  Then  measure  the  slant  of  the  foot 
that  goes  the  fastest,  afterwards  measure  the  slant  of  the 


Fig.  29,— Shoe  with  Plate  Attached. 


other  foot  and  you  will  find  that  it  will  be  necessary  to  let 
the  shoe  on  the  slow  foot  extend  out  on  the  side  so  as  to 
have  the  same  bearing  from  the  centre  of  the  coffin-bone  on 
both  sides  of  the  foot.  Then  make  the  shoe  as  shown 
in  Fig.  28  and  you  will  have  an  equal  bearing  on  both 
sides. 


62 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


SHOE,    WITH  PLATE   ATTACHED,    FOR  DROPPED   SOLES. 

Fig".  29  represents  a  shoe  with  a  plate  fitted  into  it  which 
I  use  in  all  cases  of  dropped  soles.  The  object  of  the  plate 
is  to  take  all  the  bearing-  off  of  the  outer  crust  or  wall.  The 
dropped  sole  occurs  g-enerally  in  large  heavy  horses.  In 
using"  ordinary  shoes  the  concavity  of  the  bearing-  surface 
throws  all  the  weight  upon  the  wall  and  very  little  of  the 
shoe  touches  the  sole.     The  result  of  this  is  that  the  sole 


Fia.  30.— Stifle  Shoe. 


keeps  dropping-  down.  In  using-  the  shoe  illustrated  in  Fig-. 
29,  apply  hoof  ointment  and  a  packing-  of  oakum  so  that 
the  shoe  will  not  bear  hard  on  the  wall.  This  will  hold  the 
sole  up  and  take  the  strain  off  of  the  wall  and  in  time  the 
sole  will  go  back  to  its  proper  place.  It  is  sometimes  a 
good  plan  to  apply  a  blister  around  the  coronet  to  force  the 
growth  of  the  foot  and  soften  it  up. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  63 


STIFLE    SHOE. 


Fig".  30  represents  a  stifle  shoe.  There  is  an  old  saying 
that  ''my  horse  has  g-ot  a  stifle  out."  I  was  horn,  you 
might  say,  a  blacksmith,  and  I  have  heard  my  father  say 
many  a  time  that  he  had  got  to  go  out  and  put  the  old 
horse's  stifle  in.  Now  I  don't  think  the  old  gentleman  ever 
saw  a  horse  with  a  stifle  out. 

We  have  what  w^e  call  stifle  difficulties,  but  if  the  horse 
gets  his  stifle  out  he  will  never  do  any  more  work.  To  get 
tlie  stifle  out  he  has  got  to  break  a  band  of  bone  like  the 
knee-pan  in  man,  and  after  this  bone  is  broken  it  can 
never  be  replaced. 

There  are  cords  and  muscles  that  draw  over  the  stifle 
the  same  Avay  as  the^^  do  over  the  knuckles  of  the  hand  and 
it  is  these  that  slip  and  get  out  of  place,  and  to  cure  such 
troubles  a  shoe  is  used  made  in  the  style  shown  in  the  illus- 
tration. This  is  to  be  put  on  the  well  foot,  the  object  being 
to  make  the  horse  stand  on  the  crippled  foot  and  hold  his 
cords  and  muscles  in  their  places  until  they  are  relaxed. 

Before  using  this  shoe  it  is  necessary  to  be  ver^^  careful  to 
ascertain  that  the  trouble  with  the  horse  relates  to  the 
stifle.  I  have  frequently  seen  cases  where  owners  of  horses 
thought  that  the  stifle  was  out  of  place  and  the  only  trou- 
ble was  that  the  horse  had  been  pricked  with  a  nail. 

FLAT    TROTTING    PLATE. 

Fig.  31  shoAvs  a  flat  trotting  plate  or  a  shoe  for  pacers ; 
can  be  made  in  the  same  style  with  light  steel.     With  pa- 


64  Artistic  horse-shoeing. 

cers  it  is  necessary  to  pursue  exactly  the  opposite  course  to 
what  is  necessary  with  trotters. 

As  a  general  thing*  the  lighter  the  shoe  the  faster  a 
pacer  will  travel.  I  make ,  pacers  shoes  down  as  low  as  4 
oz.  and  from  that  up  to  whatever  size  it  may  appear  neces- 
sary for  the  horse  to  carr}^  Always  punch  your  nail  holes 
as  near  the  toes  as  possible  with  all  light  shell  horses. 


Fig.  31.— Flat  TROTTiNa  Plate. 


COLT  S    SHOE. 


Fig.  32  shows  a  colt's  shoe.  The  first  two  or  three  years 
a  colt  is  shod  more  pains  should  be  taken  with  the  shoes 
than  is  required  afterwards.  A  colt's  foot  is  like  the  foot 
(^r  a  growing  boy.  It  is  not  very  strong  and  it  does  not 
take  but  a  little  to  get  it  twisted  and  warped  out  of  shape. 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING.  65 

One  great  trouble  with  horsemen  is  this.  They  will  f^o 
into  a  blacksmith's  shop  and  say  to  the  blacksmith:  ''  I  want 
some  old  shoes  put  on  the  colt,  because  I  want  something- 
light."  By  such  a  plan  as  this  it  is  frequently  the  case  that 
you  get  a  16-oz.  shoe  on  one  foot  and  a  10  or  12-oz.  shoe  on 
the  other,  and  the  result  is  that  the  colt  is  unbalanced  and 


Fig.  32.— Colt's  Shoe. 

in  a  little  while  he  is  interfering,  and  soon  gets  to  forging 
perhaps. 

Now  we  should  equalize  the  weight  of  the  shoes,  g-etting* 
them  as  near  the  same  weight  as  possible  on  both  front  feet, 
and  as  near  as  possible  the  same  weight  on  both  hind  feet. 

To  make  the  shoe  represented  in  tlie  illustration,  take 
common  halt'  round  iron,  say  f  or  i  inch  wide  and 
don't  crease  it  at  all.     Tliey  can  be  shaped  around  the  horn 


QQ  ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 

of  the  anvil  and  made  almost  as  fast  as  a  hen  can  pick  up 
corn. 

Dovetail  the  nails  in  and  make  eveiything-  perfectly 
smooth.  With  this  style  of  shoe  a  colt  will  have  shoes  of 
equal  weig'ht  and  is  not  likely  to  g'et  into  the  habit  of  inter- 
fering- or  forging-.  I  consider  them  the  best  shoes  which  can 
be  put  upon  a  colt. 


Fig.  33.— Hind  Shoe  with  Three  Calks. 
HIND   SHOE    WITH   THREE   CALKS. 

Fig.  33  shows  a  shoe  with  three  calks.  It  is  made  the 
same  as  any  common  shoe,  having-  three  calks.  It  is  used 
in  cases  where  horses  have  heavy  pulling-  to  do. 

I  always  make  low  calks.  In  most  cases  horse-shoers 
get  the  calks  too  high,  which  causes  a  rocking  and  wrench- 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


67 


ing*  motion  that  produces  more  or  less  strain  and  injury 
to  the  tendons.  Be  careful  in  applying  this  shoe,  as  in 
other  cases,  to  have  the  foot  perfectly  level. 

TOE-WEIGHT    AND   SIDE-WEIGHT    COMBINED. 

Fig*.  34  represents  a  toe- weight  and  side- weight  combined. 


Fig.  34.— Toe- Weight  and  Side-Weight  Combined. 

When  it  is  desired  to  increase  the  action  of  a  horse  in  front, 
the  toe- weight  should  be  used,  and  if  it  is  desired  to  have 
the  same  horse  travel  a  little  wider,  use  the  side-weight 
also  ;  forging  one  side  so  the  weight  will  extend  about  an 
incli  further  towards  the  heel  than  the  other. 


68 


ARTISTIC  HORSE -SHOEING. 


In  case  the  horse  swing-s  his  feet  outward  use  the  heaviest 
weig'ht  on  the  inside  of  the  foot,  which  has  a  tendency  to 
draw  the  foot  back  and  make  the  animal  travel  square.  If 
he  throws  his  feet  too  close  together  the  additional  weight 


Fig.  35.— Shoe  to  Prevent  Paddling  and  Knocking. 


should  be  used  on  the  outside  of  the  foot,  the  object  being 
to  make  the  horse  spread  his  feet  in  traveling. 

The  same  shoe  may  also  be  used  to  correct  what  is  called 
weaving,  or  where  a  horse  throws  his  feet  in  traveling  out- 
ward and  inward  in  a  sort  of  weavinir  motion. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  69 

This  shoe  makes  a  very  g-ood  toe-weig-ht  and  side-weight 
combined.     It  can  be  calked  or  not  as  may  be  required. 

SHOE  TO  PREVENT  PADDLING  AND  KNEE-KNOCKING. 

Fig".  35.    This  shoe  is  made  out  of  inch  by  half-inch  iron. 


Fig.  36.  — FooT-BEARma  Surface  of  Fig.  35. 

creased  all  the  way  around,  and  should  be  used  in  all  cases 
of  paddling-. 

The  great  trouble  with  many  horses  and  knee-knockers  is, 
that  the}^  strike  on  the  outside  point  of  the  toe.  Take  any 
common  shoe  at  the  point  indicated  by  A,  say,  weld  on  a 


70 


ARTISTIC  HORSESHOEING. 


projection  of  half  an  inch  to  three-quarters  of  an  inch  in 
length.  It  may  be  an  inch  longer  if  necessary.  As  the 
horse  strikes  this  projection  in  traveling-  he  swings  over 
and  settles  on  the  inside  point  of  his  toe.     When  this  is 


Fig.  37.— Rolling  Motion  Toe- Weight  Shoe. 


accomplished  it  is  necessary  for  him  to  swing  his  foot  out. 

I  have  stopped  very  bad  cases  of  knee-knockers  with  this 
shoe  and  have  had  no  trouble  with  it  made  exactly  as  re- 
presented in  Fig.  35. 

Always  be  careftd  to  make  the  foot  level  in  all  cases, 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


71 


when  shoeing'  for  different  diseases  and  the  correction  of 
had  hahits. 

Fig-.  36   shows  the    foot-hearing-   surface  of  Fig-.   35,  as 
well  as  the  concavity  which  it  is  necessary  to  g-ive  to  the 


Fig.  38.— Rolling  Motion  Shoe. 

toe  inside,  and  the  position  of  the  nail  holes.     It  also  shows 
where  the  spur  is  welded  on. 


ROLLING   MOTION   TOE-WEIGHT   SHOE. 

Fig.  37  represents  a  shoe  having-  a  toe- weight  and  a  rol- 
ling motion  combined.     This  shoe    tends  to  increase   the 


72  AUTISTIC  HOUSE-SfiOEma. 

action  in  the  fore-leg-s  of  the  horse,  the  rolling-  motion 
making-  it  easy  for  him  to  travel.  A,  shows  the  bottom 
of  the  shoe  which  is  not  creased,  the  nails  being  dove-tailed 
in  so  that  the  heads  will  set  perfectly  smooth  with  the 
surface  of  a  shoe  when  it  is  on.  5,  is  a  sectional  view  of  A, 
and  show\s  the  method  of  constructing  the  toe,  revealing 
the  convexity  of  the  ground  side. 

ROLLING    MOTION   SHOE. 

Fig.  38  represents  the  rolling  motion  carried  to  an  ex- 
treme. This  shoe  should  be  used  in  bad  cases  of  stumbling. 
It  should  be  made  out  of  inch  by  half  inch  iron.  Do  not 
draw  the  inside  web  at  all,  but  leave  it  the  full  thickness, 
forge  the  outside  edge  and  crease  to  the  shape  shown  in  the 
illustration.  This  will  give  the  horse  action  and  makes 
him  raise  his  feet  higher  so  that  when  he  sets  them  down 
there  is  nothing  to  impede  his  movements,  as  would  be  the 
case  with  an  ordinary  toe.  This  shoe,  represented  by  A  in 
the  engraving,  should  be  made  flat  in  all  cases.  B,  is  a 
sectional  view  showing  the  slant  and  proper  curve  for  the 
toe. 

DOUBLE    HALF-BAR    SHOE. 

Fig.  39  shows  what  is  termed  a  double  half-bar.  This  is 
designed  to  take  the  place  of  a  full  bar,  and  the  method  of 
construction  will  be  seen  by  an  inspection  of  A,  which  shows 
a  completed  shoe.  Half  bars  are  attached  and  curl  around 
each  side  of  the  frog,  relieving  the  heels  of  all  undue  pres- 
sure. 


AUTISTIC  HOUSEi-SHOEING. 


n 


B  and  C,  show  sectional  views  of  the  bars,  giving  an  idea 
of  their  construction  and  thickness. 

In  all  cases  of  corns  on  both  sides  I  have  used  this  shoe 
with  g-reat  success. 

It  has  also  proved  very  successful  in  all  cases  of  contrac- 
tion.   The  shoe  should  not  be  allowed  to  touch  at  the  heels. 


Fia.  39.— Double  Half-Bar  Shop. 


The  foot  should  be  dressed  perfectly  level  with  the  ex- 
ception of  what  is  taken  off  from  the  heels  to  prevent  the 
shoe  bearing  and  touching  on  the  quarters. 

When  the  quarters  get  crowded  down  so  that  the^^  touch 
the  shoe,  it  should  be  removed  and  the  -quarters  cut  down 


u 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


again  so  as  to  relieve  the  pressure.  This  shoe  can  be  calked 
the  samt'  as  any  bar  shoe  if  necessar^^,  but  the  closer  we 
keep  the  diseased  foot  to  the  ground,  the  better  it  will  be, 
and  Vtif>  sooner  it  will  get  into  good  condition. 


Fig.  40.— Side- Weight  and  Toe- Weight  Combined. 


SIDE-WEIGHTS    AND    TOE-WEIGHTS    COMBINED. 

Fig.  40  shows  a  sidc-Aveight  and  toe-weight  combined.  I 
use  this  shoe  in  balancing  the  action  of  all  horses.  If  the 
horse  is  inclined  to  hobble  or  hitch  I  use  whis  shoe  on  the 
hind  foot  and  increase  the  weight.  There  is  no  question  as 
to  the  good  results  of  appl^-ing  this  shoe  to  any  horse  if 
you  get  weight  enough.  If  the  first  shoe  fails  to  produce 
the   propel'  result,  increase   the  web,  always   placing   the 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


75 


weight  on  the  outside  of  the  foot.  I  use  a  ver^^  light  heel 
and  no  toe-calks.  On  the  hind  shoes  of  all  speeding  horses, 
and  generally  on  light  driving  horses,  I  always  use  small 
heels,  then  when  a  horse  reaches  out  the  heel  gives  him  a 
firm  grip  on  the  ground  so  that  he  will  not  be  likel}^  to  slip  o' 


Fig.  41.— Rolling  Motion  Shoe. 

strain  himself.   A,  shows  the  completed  shoe ;  while  B,  gives 
an  idea  of  style  of  the  calk  used. 


ROLLING    MOTION    SHOE. 
Fig.  41  is  a  rolling  motion  shoe.     The  advantage  of  this 
shoe  is  that  it  increases  the  action  of  a  trotter  and  quickens 


76 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


his  pace.  In  a  common  flat  shoe  a  horse  has  to  keep  climb- 
ing- from  the  time  he  raises  his  heels  to  the  time  he  g-ets 
over  the  point  of  his  toe.     With  this  shoe  the  rolling  motion 


Fig.  42.— Front  Shoe  with  Three  Calks. 


comes  in  the  moment  he  begins  to  raise  his  heels.  A,  repre- 
sents the  bottom  of  a  completed  shoe;  while  B,  shows  a 
sectional  view^  giving-  a  clear  idea  of  tlie  necessary  roll,  to- 
getlier  with  the  position  of  the  creases. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


77 


FRONT   SHOE   WITH  THREE   CALKS. 

Fig".  42  represents  a  common  froQt  shoe  with  three  calks. 
This  shoe  is  made  the  same  as  any  ordinary  shoe  with  the 
exception  that  the  calks  are  made  lower,  as  with  low  calks 
the  foot  can  be  kept  in  better  condition  than  with  hig"h  calks. 


Fig.  43.— Half-Bar  and  Side- Weight  Combined. 


As  a  g-eneral  thing  I  do  not  approve  of  making-  the  calks  of 
any  shoes  over  half  an  inch  high.  Many  people  are  apt  to 
want  high  calks.  The  higher  the  calk  the  more  rack  and 
strain  there  is.  More  ring-bones,  curbs  and  spavins  are 
brought  about  by  the  feet  rocking  on  high  calks  than  by 
anything  else.     Ay  represents  the  complete  shoe ;  while  B, 


78  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

shows  a  sectional  view  of  the  heig-ht  and  shape  of  the  calk. 
I  always  make  the  toe-calk  a  little  bit  the  lowest. 


HALF-BAR  AND   SIDE-WEIGHT    COMBINED. 

Fig-.  43  represents  a  side-weight  and  half-bar  shoe  com- 
bined. When  it  is  necessary  to  widen  the  action  of  a 
trotting-  horse,  this  side-weig-ht  is  used,  and  in  case  the 
quarter  of  the  same  foot  has  grown  in  and  wired  under,  the 
half-bar  is  used,  covering-  just  half  of  the  frog.  This  will 
spread  out  the  quarter  to  where  it  is  wanted.  B,  shows 
the  thickness  of  the  half-bar  as  it  rests  on  the  frog-. 

It  should  be  borne  carefully  in  mind  that  the  bar  only 
touches  and  presses  on  half  of  the  frog.  It  will  not  do  to 
extend  it  clear  across  the  frog-.  This  shoe  should  be  used 
in  all  cases  of  broken  doAvn  quarters,  or  corns,  or  quarter 
cracks. 

A  PLAIN   HIND   SHOE. 

Fig-.  44  shows  a  plain  hind  shoe.  On  light  driving:  horses 
I  use  no  toe-calk.  This  shoe  should  be  made  of  steel. 
Turn  up  a  very  light  heel,  in  all  cases  making  the  weight 
as  nearly  as  possible  equal  on  both  sides.  When  this  style 
of  shoe  is  used  for  road  horses  they  should  be  made  very 
long.  The  shoe  should  project  at  least  one  inch  back  of  the 
foot,  the  object  being-  to  support  the  main  cords  and  tendons 
and  the  ankle  joints.  This  takes  off  all  concussions  and 
will  prevent  knuckling.  In  case  a  horse  is  inclined  to 
knuckle,  a  good  long  shoe  should  be  used  and  the  heel 
should  be  raised.     Use  the  same  style  of  shoe  for  the  front 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 


79 


foot  as  for  the  hind  foot.  That  is  as  long  a  shoe  as  would 
be  used  in  difficulties  of  knee-sprung-  animals.  Knuckling 
and  knee-springing  is  brought  on  by  straining  the  tendons 
and  cords.  To  give  the  animal  relief,  of  course  the  strain 
must  be  taken  off.  A,  shows  the  complete  shoe  ;  while  J5, 
represents  a  sectional  view  with  the  heel  properly  turned  up. 


Fig.  44.— Plain  Hind  Shoe. 


PLATE    FOR    RUNNING    HORSES. 

Fig.  45  is  a  plate  for  running  horses.  It  is  made  of 
steel,  very  light,  and  varies  in  weight  according  to  the  size 
of  the  horse  to  wliich  it  is  to  be  applied.  I  make  them  as 
light  as  Ifoz.  and  from  that  up  to  4  ozs.,  according  to 
the  weight  the  horse  is  designed  to  carry.     They  are  made 


80 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


with  four  nails  on  a  side  and  placed  as  shown  in  the  engrav- 
ing*.   No  calks  whatever  are  used  on  the  plate,  the  object 


Fig.  45.— Plate  for  Running  Horses. 


being-  to  use  as  light  a  shoe  as  is  compatible  with  a  proper 
protection  of  the  foot. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  81 


CHAPTER  Y. 

CLINCHING     TOOL. 

In  this  connection  (Fig\  4G)  is  described  one  of  the  most 
useful  Uttle  tools  which  I  have  ever  handled.  It  is  used 
instead  of  a  rasp  for  cutting-  out  the  small  portion  of  hoof 
driven  outward  by  the  nail,  and  interfering-  unless  it  is  re- 
moved with  proper  clinching.  This  bit  of  hoof  is  usually 
rasped  out,  but  in  rasping  it  a  portion  of  the  hoof  on  each 


Fig.  46.— Clinching  Tool. 

ide  of  the  nail  is  cut  away  to  clinch  the  nail.  The  tool  in 
question  will  gouge  out  just  enough  hoof  to  admit  of  the 
nail  clinching  in  g-ood  shape.  Rasping*  or  filing  under  the 
nail  weakens  the  walls  of  the  foot  and  it  is  far  better  to  re- 
move the  small  portion  of  hoof  necessary  by  this  clinching* 
tool, 

HANDLING   BRIDLE. 

I  shoe  all  kickers,  and  handle  all  ugly  horses  with  this 
bridle.  An^^  open  bridle  can  be  converted  into  this  kind  of 
bridle  by  means  of  the  Rockwell  Bit.  No.  1  in  Fig.  47 
represents  the  nose  piece,  whieli  is  18  inches  long-  and  is 


82 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEmG. 


attached  to  the  side  pieces  ;  and  after  it  is  on  the  horse  you 
can  take  it  up  so  that  it  will  fit.  This  piece  should  always 
be  made  18  inches  long  so  as  to  double  it  in  attaching  to  the 


Fig.  47.— Handling  Bridle. 


bridle.  No.  2  in  the  illustration  is  24  inches  long,  running 
from  No.  1 ,  to  the  top  of  the  bridle.  No.  1  shows  where 
the  rope  should  always  be  lied.  Then  let  it  run  ov^er  the 
neck  as  indicated  at  No.  4,  then  down  Uj  rough  the  rin^  in 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  83 

the  bit  at  No.  5.  This  rope  shoukl  be  half  an  inch  in  diam- 
eter and  12  feet  long-.  It  may  not  be  necessary  to  use  it  as 
long"  as  this  ordinarily,  but  in  bad  cases  it  may  often  come 
in  handy.  I  handled  an  ugly  horse  in  this  way.  I  put  on 
the  bridle  and  take  him  out  doors  where  I  can  have  plenty 
of  room.  Step  to  one  side  and  give  him  a  sharp  pull.  Every 
time  you  pull  sa^^  ''whoa."  Then  try  the  same  tactics  on  the 
other  side.  When  you  get  on  the  other  side  he  will  be 
likely  to  follow  3^ou.  If  he  does  you  may  know  he  is  think- 
ing of  the  bit.  Draw  up  the  rope  tight  and  have  some  one 
hold  it,  then  pick  up  his  foot  and  if  he  does  not  stand  drop 
the  foot  and  give  him  a  few  more  strong  pulls  of  the  rope. 
You  will  find  that  he  will  not  think  very  much  about  kick- 
ing, but  his  mind  will  be  on  the  bridle  and  there  will  not  be 
time  for  him  to  telegraph  back  to  his  heels  to  kick. 


DIFFERENT  PARTS  OF  THE   BODY  OF  THE   HORSE. 

The  two  parts  of  the  head  of  the  horse  which  correspond 
to  the  temples  in  man  are  above  the  eyes.  The  orbit,  which 
is  formed  of  seven  bones;  four  cranial  and  three  facial 
bones,  contains  the  globe  of  the  eye.  On  the  inner  angle  is 
situated  the  haw,  shown  at  ^4  in  the  engraving. 

At  B,  the  eye-pits  are  indicated.  These  are  the  iudenta 
tions  which  are  located  between  the  ear  and  the  eye  and 
above  the  eye-brows. 

C,  represents  the  front  of  the  head  or  the  face  from  the 
eyes  to  the  nostrils.  This  portion  corresponds  to  the  upper 
part  of  a  man's  nose. 

The  neck  of  the  horse  is  designated  by  the  word  crest, 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  85 

and  is  shown  at  D  in  the  engraving-.     The  crest  comprises 
all  that  portien  of  the  neck  covered  by  the  mane. 

E,  is  the  forelock  or  that  portion  of  the  mane  which 
naturally  falls  over  the  forehead  between  the  e^^es. 

The  ivithers  indicated  at  F  is  the  spot  where  the  shoul-^'*', 
ders  meet. 

The  chest  is  shown  at  G,  and  is  that  part  which  is  in  front 
between  the  shoulders  and  below  the  throat. 

The  hack  is  shown  at  H.  It  commences  at  the  withers,  F, 
and  extends  along-  the  spine  as  far  as  the  crupper. 

The  space  between  the  back,  H,  and  the  stomach,  J",  is 
called  the  barrel. 

The  flanks  lie  at  the  extremitj^  of  the  stomach  and  extend 
as  far  as  the  hip  bones. 

M,  represents  the  shoulder,  while  iV  indicates  the  arm. 

O,  is  the  knee-joint.  This  corresponds  to  the  wrist  in 
man. 

P,  is  the  shank.  It  commences  at  the  knee-joint  and  cor- 
responds to  the  Metacarpus  in  man. 

Behind  the  shank  is  a  tendon  wiiich  extends  from  one  end 
to  the  other  and  is  called  the  back  sineiv. 

Q,  is  the  fetlock-joint.  The  fetlock  itself  is  a  tuft  of  hair 
covering  a  sort  of  soft,  horn^^  excrescence,  which  is  called 
the  ergot. 

B,  shows  where  the  two  pastern  bones  are  located  and  is 
that  portion  of  the  leg'  between  the  fetlock-joint  and  the 
foot. 

aS',  is  the  coronet ;  a  slight  elevation  lying  below  the  pas- 
terns, which  is  furnished  with  long  hair  falling  over  the  hoof 
all  around  the  foot. 


86  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

T,  shows  the  hoofs,  or  it  may  be  said  the  nails  of  the  foot, 
as  the  lioof  correspond  to  the  nails  in  the  human  hand. 

K,  in  the  hind  leg*,  represents  the  stifle,  which  is  the  joint 
of  the  knee  and  contains  the  knee-pan.  This  corresponds 
to  the  knee  in  man.  It  is  situated  below  the  haunch  on  a 
level  with  the  flank  and  shifts  its  place  when  the  horse 
walks. 

M',  shows  the.  thig-h,  which  corresponds  to  the  leg  in  man. 
It  extends  from  the  stifle  down  to  the  hock.  The  hock  is 
the  joint  which  is  below  the  thigh  and  bends  forward.  This 
thigh- joint  corresponds  to  the  instep  in  man.  The  hinder 
part  of  the  hock,  which  is  called  the  point  of  the  hock,  is  the 
heel.  Below  the  hock  are  the  shank,  the  fetlock-joints,  the 
pastern  and  the  foot,  as  in  the  fore-legs. 

iV',  shows  the  upper  portion  of  the  hind  leg. 

THE  CORRECT  ANGLE  OF  THE  FOOT. 

Very  few  horse-shoers,  comparatively,  understand  that 
there  is  a  correct  and  incorrect  angle  for  the  foot  to  assume 
when  it  is  placed  flat  upon  the  ground.  'Some  shoers  cut 
'  too  much  from  the  toe,  throwing  the  foot  too  far  over  in 
front,  while  others  cut  down  the  heel  too  low,  necessarily^ 
throwing  the  foot  too  far  back. 

Fig.  50  shows  an  illustration  of  a  foot  with  the  angle 
properly  indicated.  Of  course  this  angle  will  vary  a  little 
in  different  horses  and  here  is  where  judgment  is  required 
in  the  horse-shoer.  About  53  degrees  may  be  considered 
the  right  thing  for  the  front  foot,  while  58  or  60  will  be  the 
average  angle  for  the  hind  foot.     Almost  any  horse-shoer 


ARTISTIC   HOR?K  S.n07JNG. 


87 


can  construct  an  instrument  with  the  deg-rees  marked  on  so 
that  it  will  be  easy  to  ascertain  exactly  the  angle  of  any 
foot. 

RESULTS  OF  USING  POOR  NAILS. 

Fig-.'  50  shows  a  foot  with  the  shoe  attached,  a  portion  of 
which  has  been  cut  away  for  the  purpose  of  illustrating 


Fig.  49.— Correct  Angle  of  the  Foot. 


how  a  poor  nail  may  work  serious  and  sometimes  fatal 
injur3\  A,  shows  the  coffin-bone;  B,  the  sensitive  sole;  and 
Cy  indicates  where  the  nail  split,  and  a  portion  of  it  pene- 
trated through  the  sensitive  sole  and  nearly  through  the 
point  of  the  coffin-bone.  The  moral  of  course  to  be  drawn 
from  this  is  that  no  horse-shoer  should  ever  be  tempted  to 


88 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


use  a  poor  nail.  There  are  so  many  poor  nails  made  that  1 
resolved  to  visit  the  works  of  some  of  the  best  known 
makers,  and  decide  for  myself  which  to  use  and  recommend. 
After  inspecting-  the  factory  of  the  Putnam  Nail  Co.,  and 
witnessing"  the  whole  process  of  forging,  I  no  longer  had  any 
doubt  as  to  wiiich  compan^^  makes  the  best  nail,  and  shall 
hereafter  use  and  recommend  only  the  Putnam  nails.     They 


Fig.  50.— Result  of  Using  Poor  Nails. 


are  hot  forged  clear  to  the  point,  and  I  cannot  conceive  it 
possible  for  a  Putnam  nail  to  split.  I  once  lost  a  horse  by 
using  poor  nails.  The  illustration  shows  exactly  how  a  nail 
in  this  particular  case  did  its  fatal  woi'k  and  the  horse  died 
of  lock-jaw.  The  illustration  was  made  from  the  foot  taken 
from  this  horse. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

FEET,    ETC. 


FRONT  VIEW  OF  A  DISEASED  COFFIN-BONE. 

Fig.  51  represents  the  front  view   of  a  diseased  coffin- 
bone.      When    ossification    takes    place    throughout    the 


FiG.  51.— Front  View  of  a  Diseased  Coffin-Bone. 

entire  structure  of  the  bone,  the  outside  bone  around  the 
edge  of  the  coronet  becomes  enhirged.  A  great  many 
people  term  this  a  bad  case  of  ring-bone,  but  it  is  not  ring- 


90 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


bone,  it  is  a  g-enuine  case  of  diseased  coffin-bone,  and  there 
is  no  cure  for  it.  As  soon  as  the  foot  assumes  the  condi- 
tions shown  herewith,  the  quicker  3^ou  l^ill  tlie  old  horse 
the  quiclver  you  will  give  him  relief. 


Fig.  52.— Back  View  of  a  Diseased  Coffin-Bone. 


BACK  VIEW  OF  A   DISEASED  COFFIN-BONE. 

Fig-.  52  shows  a  back  view  of  a  diseased  coffin-bone.  All 
the  relief  which  can  be  given  to  a  horse  thus  afflicted  is  to 
shoe  him  as  near  level  as  possible,  raising"  the  heel-calks 
and  letting"  the  shoe  extend  out  say  an  inch-and-a-half  or 
two  inches  back  of  the  foot. 

Fig-.  53  shows  a  back  view  of  the  near  front  foot  of  the 
same  horse.    Fig-.  52  being  the  otf  front  foot.     Fig-.  53  also 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


91 


Fig.  53.— Perfect  Representation  of  a  Coffin-Bone. 

gives  a  perfect  representation  of  a  coffin-bone.    It  will  be 
seen  that  there  is  quite  a  difference  in  the  feet. 


Fig.  54.— Front  View  of  a  Perfect  Foot. 


Fig".  54  gives  a  front  view  of  a  perfect  foot,  as  shown  in 
the  back  view  of  Fig.  53. 


92 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


A  VERY  THIN    SHELL. 

Fig-.  55  represents  a  very  thin  light  shell,  the  finer  the 
breed  of  the  horse  the  thinner  and  lighter  the  shell  in 
every  case.     On  this  account  great  judgment  is  needed  on 


Fig.  55.— Very  Thin  Shell. 


the  part  of  the  horse-shoer  to  determine  what  sized  nail  to 
use.  I  use  nails  as  small  as  No.  2  and  up  to  as  hig'h  as  No. 
7,  but  do  not  use  manj^  No.  8's,  and  have  not  driven  a  No.  9 
horse-nail  in  seven  years.  The  horse  the  foot  came  off, 
shown  herewith,  was  shod  on  Monday  and  the  next  Friday 
was  dead.  There  is  no  question  in  my  mind  as  to  what  the 
trouble  was  with  this  horse.     He  certainly  died  with  lock- 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING.  93 

jaw.  There  were  only  two  nails  in  the  outside  wall,  the 
rest  being"  in  the  laminae,  some  of  them  coming  clear 
throug-h  the  lining  of  the  foot,  penetrating  a  mass  of  blood 
vessels,  arteries  and  sensitive  nerves. 

This  foot  came  off  a  Hambletonian  trotter.  These 
trotters  have  the  lightest  shells  of  any  trotting  horses  in 
the  world. 

Too  great  care,  it  will  be  seen,  cannot  be  taken  in  dressing 
the  feet  of  fine  bred  horses,  and  great  care  is  needed  not  to 
use  too  large  nails. 


Fig.  56.— Sectional  View  showing  How  Nails  should  be  Driven. 

Fig.  56  shows  a  sectional  view  of  a  horse's  foot,  the 
exact  location  of  the  wall  of  the  foot  through  which  the 
nail  must  be  driven  can  be  readily  seen.  The  most  casual 
observer  will  notice  that  a  trifling  deviation  of  the  nail  from 
the  proper  course  will  send  it  into  the  sensitive  laminae  where 
it  will  produce  lameness  and  serious  injury. 

FOOT  OF  A  HORSE  THAT  DIED  OF  LOCK-JAW. 

Fig.  57  represents  the  foot  of  a  horse  that  died  of  lock- 
jaw. Now  I  am  free  to  confess  that  I  have  killed  two  valu- 
able horses  in  my  life  by  driving  the  nails  wrong  and  pul- 


94  ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 

ling-  them  out  again  before  the  owner  could  see  what  had 
been  done.  In  performing-  this  operation  sometimes  the 
point  of  the  nail  will  twist  off  and  remain  in  the  foot.  Now 
whenever  this  happens  the  outside  crust  or  wall  should  be 
opened  at  once  and  the  piece  of  nail  removed  or  the  horse' 
will  die  of  lock-jaw. 


Fig.  57.— Foot  of  a  Horse  that  Died  of  Lock-jaw. 
COLD  VS.    HOT  HEATING. 

Right  here  let  me  say  a  word  with  respect  to  hot  fitting. 
I  talked  in  favor  of  hot  fitting  for  twenty-one  years. 
Why  did  I  do  it  ? 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  95 

Simply  because  I  could  dress  and  level  a  horse's  foot  a 
great  deal  easier  that  way  than  I  could  with  a  file  or  rasp. 
Now  the  sensitive  laminai  of  the  horse's  foot  between  the 
shell  and  the  lining-  of  the  foot  is  similar  to  the  sensitive 
portion  under  the  human  finger-nail,  and  just  as  far  as  the 
heat  goes  it  kills  the  sensitive  lamini^  and  burns  them  out. 
After  we  get  the  laminae  burnt  out  on  both  sides,  of  the  foot 
to  the  depth  of  the  thickness  of  the  sole,  if  the  hoi'se  hap- 
pens to  be  very  heav}^,  the  sole  is  forced  down  and  then  we 
say  he  is  in  the  first  stages  of  founder.  I  have  foundered 
at  least  five  hundred  horses  in  ni}^  life  with  hot  shoes  and 
nothing  else.  I  don't  allow  myself  or  any  man  under  my 
instruction  to  touch  a  hot  shoe  to  any  horse's  foot. 

The  foot  should  be  perfectly  level  in  all  cases,  and  the 
shoe  should  be  made  perfectly  level  before  applying  it  to 
the  foot.  All  we  take  off  from  the  foot  we  take  off  from  the 
bottom  of  the  foot,  and  never  set  the  shoe  back  and  chop  all 
the  way  around  the  outside.  When  this  is  done  all  the 
strength  of  the  shell  around  the  outside  is  cut  awa^^  and 
this  will  cripple  the  best  horse  in  the  world.  This  is  a 
great  mistake. 

For  twenty-one  years  I  used  to  fit  the  foot  to  the  shoe 
and  not  the  shoe  to  the  foot.  The  first  thing  I  used  to  do 
after  pulling  off  a  shoe  was  to  cut  the  heels  down.  After  I 
got  the  heels  cut  down  low  enough  to  suit  me  I  would  put 
my  buttress  or  knife  in  one  side  of  the  frog  and  cut  that 
side  down.  Then  I  would  cut  the  other  side  down  and  if 
the  man  was  paying  me  a  little  extra  price  why  I  would 
cut  it  all  out.  Now  the  frog  does  not  want  to  be  touched 
with  a  knife  at  all. 


96  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

Under  natural  conditions  the  frog-  is  shed  every  three 
months  in  a  healthy  foot  and  oug-ht  never  to  be  touched  by 
the  farrier  ;  when  the  sensitive  frog  is  subjected  to  the  ordi- 
nary banging  and  concussion  which  it  will  receive  if  let  alone 
the  outside  horny  frog  will  shed  itself.  Cutting-  the  frog- 
aw^ay  stops  the  growth  of  the  foot  at  least  a  year. 

FOOT    SHOWING  A    TOE    CRACK. 

Fig-.  56  represents  a  foot  with  a  toe  crack.  This  is  a  very 
common  occurrence,  but  toe  cracks  are  not  seen  nearly  as 


A 
Fig.  58.— Foot  showing  a  Toe  Crack. 

often  as  quarter  cracks.  The  point  A  in  the  engraving-  re- 
presents the  split  in  the  toe.  In  shoeing'  a  split  toe  always 
cut  out  the  hoof  with  a  knife  or  rasp  to  the  shape  shown  in 
the  illustration.  B}^  tliis  means  the  bearing-  is  taken  off 
from  the  crack.  In  such  cases  a  calk  shoe  (such  as  will  be 
found  described  elsewhere)  is   used.      This  lets  the  horse 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


97 


over  easy  and  relieves  the  strain  on  the  toe.     It  is  very  im- 
portant to  avoid  all  strain  at  the  point  where  the  crack  is. 
In  this  particular  case  it  will  be  a  good  plan  to  use  a  bar 


Fig.  59.— a  Horse's  Deformed  Foot. 


with  the  four-calk  shoe.  As  the  heels  are  expanded  the 
crack  in  the  toe  is  closed  up.  A  fruitful  cause  of  toe  cracks, 
in  my  opinion,  is  the  use  of  too  larg-e  clips. 


08  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEIKa. 


A  horse's  deformed  foot. 

Fig".  59  shows  the  foot  of  a  colt  which  was  ruined  by  not 
cutting-  the  heel  for  five  years. 

I  have  frequently  had  horsemen  come  into  my  shop  and 
say,  "  Don't  cut  the  heel  any,  cut  the  toe  but  not  the  heel." 

The  horse  whose  foot  is  shown  in  the  engraving-  was 
spoiled  by  his  owner,  who  insisted  that  nothing  should  be 
cut  from  the  heels. 

The  poor  blacksmith,  however,  Avas  the  man  who  had  to 
stand  the  blame. 

When  the  heel  is  left  too  hig'h  the  horse's  foot  is  thrown 
over  in  .front,  bending-  it  up  and  throwing-  the  pastern 
bones  and  coffin-bone  out  of  position.  Instead  of  keeping- 
their  natural  position,  these  bones,  in  the  example  under 
consideration,  had  been  thrown  into  a  vertical  position.  In 
shoeing-  a  liorse  the  heel  must  be  cut  down  just  as  much  as 
any  other  part  of  the  foot.  Of  course  there  are  naturally 
high  heels  and  naturally  low  heels.  A  horse-shoer,  if  he 
understands  his  business,  will  know  just  as  soon  as  he 
picks  up  the  foot  about  how  much  to  cut  off  and  where  to 
cut.  I  have  seen  horses  ruined  by  cutting-  the  heel  too 
much.  If  the  foot,  however,  is  kept  at  an  angle  of  about  53 
degrees,  it  Avill  not  be  very  far  out  of  the  way. 

FOOT  AVITH  SECTION  OF  WALL    REMOVED. 

Fig.  GO  represents  a  dark  colored  foot.  It  is  a  curious 
fact  that  a  light  colored  foot  has  a  thinner  shell  than  a 
dark  colored  foot.  The  piece  from  A  to  B  in  the  illustra- 
tion represents  the  outside  crust  or  wall  and  laminas  taken 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


99 


out  of  the  side  of  the  foot  to  show  the  internal  construction. 
It  can  be  easily  seen  by  an  examination  of  this  illustration 
that  there  is  not  very  much  thickness  in  any  foot  into 
which  a  nail  can  be  driven.     The  importance,  therefore,  of 


Pl^K'iiti 


Fig.  60.— Foot  with  Section  of  Wall  Removed. 

understanding-  the  construction  of  the  foot  so  as  to  locate 
nails  properly  cannot  be  overestimated.  If  the  nail  is 
driven  inside  of  the  vrall  it  strikes  the  lamina^,  and  if  it  goes 
inside  the  lamiiKv  it  hits  between  six  and  seven  hundred 
blood  vessels.     In   most  cases    dark  colored   feet  have  a 


100 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


shell  as   thick  again  as  light  colored  feet. 


A  white  foot 


witii  a  dark  streak  or  a  dark  foot  with  a  light  streak  can 
stand  more  banging,  go  barefooted  longer,  and  is  far 
tougher  than  any  other  kind  of  a  foot. 


SHOE  WITH  PORTION  OF  HOOF  CLINGING  TO  IT. 

Fig.  61  represents  a  shoe  and  a  piece  of  foot  that  has 
been  pulled  otf  from  the  horse.     When  this  happens  it  is 


Fig.  61. — Shoe  with  Portion  of  Hoof  Clinging  to  it. 


caused  by  I'asping  too  much  with  the  corner  of  the  rasp 
under,  the  clinches.  The  outside  crust  or  wall  should  be 
subjected  to  just  as  little  rasping  and  filing  as  possible.  It 
should  be  understood  that  the  sliell  of  the  foot  is  not  very 
thick.  A  man  cannot  file  with  tlie  corner  of  a  rasp 
under  the  clinches  and  make  a  groove  big  enough  for  a 
canal  boat  to  run  in  without  getting  the  whole  shell  off. 

With   the   ordinary   method   of  clinching  by  rasping  a 
groove  under  the  clinch,  if  the  horse  gets  his  shoe  off  he  is 


ARTISTIC  HORSE -SHOEING. 


101 


liable  to  pull  a  part  of  his  foot  off.  Now  I  do  not  file  with 
the  ordinary  rasp  at  all.  I  have  a  little  g-ouge  so  con- 
structed that  I  can  take  off  just  what  the  nail  turns  up  as 
it  comes  out  and  b}^  using-  the  tool  the  shell  is  not  weakened 
at  all.  A  great  many  after  they  get  the  shoe  on  and 
clinched,  rasp  and  polish  the  foot  up  to  the  hair.  .  I  never 
do  that  now.  It  should  never  be  done  in  any  case.  When 
it  is  done  the  shell  of  the  foot  is  greatly  weakened  and  all 
the  pores  opened. 


Fig.  62.— a  Bad  Case  of  Contraction. 

No  more  rasping  or  filing-  should  be  done  on  the  outside 
wall  than. is  absolutely  necessary. 


A  BAD  CASE    OF  CONTRACTION. 

Fig.  62  represents  a  bad  case  of  contraction.    Few  people 

comprehend  how  much  a  horse  suffers  as  his  foot  is  being 

drawn  in  at  the  heel  by  improper  shoeing.     This  difficulty 

is  called  by  some  people  contraction,  and  others  say  that 


102  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

the  horse  is  hoof  bound,  but  whatever  you  call  it,  the  horse 
should  be  g-iven  immediate  relief.  An  animal  thus  afflicted 
suffers  as  much  as  a  man  would  suffer  with  a  pair  of 
extremely  tight  boots,  and  perhaps  more.  It  is  no  Avonder 
in  cases  of  contraction  that  a  horse  tries  to  relieve  the  pain 
he  suffers  by  walking-  on  his  toes.  The  contraction  of  the 
foot  presses  on  the  blood  vessels  and  nerves  and  in  a 
measure  shuts  off  the  circulation,  causing*  intense  pain. 
Any  man  can  easily  tell  when  a  horse  is  suffering-  from 
contraction  by  examining"  the  lateral  ridg-es  of  the  hoof. 


ARTISTIC  HOKSE-SHOEING.  103 


CHAPTER  VII. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES  AND  ACCIDENTS. 


GLANDERS. 

This  highly  contagious  disease  is  believed  to  be  almost 
invariably  incurable  by  any  known  means,  and  hence  it  is 
not  here  introduced  with  any  hope  of  its  cure,  but  solely 
that  horse-masters  should  be  able  to  recognize  it,  and, 
when  discovered,  to  prevent  its  being  spread.  The  symp- 
toms are — a  ^^ellow  discharge  from  one  or  both  nostrils  and 
a  swelling  of  the  glands  under  the  throat.  If  one  nostril 
only  is  affected,  the  corresponding  gland  is  enlarged,  while 
the  other  remains  in  a  healthy  state.  Sometimes  the  dis- 
ease continues  in  this  stage  for  man}^  months,  but,  sooner 
or  later,  the  discharge  increases  in  quantity,  and  becomes 
green  and  very  offensive,  and  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
nostril  becomes  ulcerated,  and  the  swollen  glands  harden, 
and  attach  themselves  closely  to  the  jaw-bone.  It  may  be 
distinguished  from  the  swelling  and  mucous  discharge 
which  accompany  ordinaiy  cold  b^^  the  absence  of  fever,  and 
by  the  continuance  of  the  disease  for  a  long  period  of  time  ; 
also  by  the  swelled  gland  adhering  to  the  jaw,  which  is  a 
very  characteristic  sj^mpton.  The  inflammation  in  gland- 
ers is  of  a  chronic  character,  and  there  is  little  heat  of  sur- 
face.    The  ulceration  of  the  mucous  membrane  is  also  pe- 


104  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

CLiliar  to  the  disease,  and  never  accompanies  ordinary  cold, 
in  which,  also,  the  discharge  is  almost  always  equally  co- 
pious from  both  nostrils.  From  strang-les  it  may  readily  be 
disting-uished  by  the  absence  of  suppuration  in  the  glands, 
and  by  the  hardness  and  adhesion  of  them  to  the  jaw. 
Glander,  likewise,  is  the  disease  of  old  or  adult  animals, 
while  strangles  very  rarely  attacks  an^'  but  young  ones. 
In  strangles,  also,  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  nose  is 
intensely  red,  while  in  glanders  it  is  onl}^  moderately  so ; 
the  discharge  likewise  in  strangles  is  profuse  from  the  first. 
The  cause  of  glanders  is  almost  always  contagion;  but 
in  some  few  cases  it  appears  to  be  generated,  or  rather  to 
degenerate,  from  common  catarrh  or  strangles.  Still  it  is 
very  difficult  to  arrive  at  certain  conclusions  upon  this  sub- 
ject, because,  instead  of  degenerating,  it  may  only  have 
assumed  the  form  of  these  milder  diseases  at  first,  and  yet 
all  the  time  have  been  true  glanders.  But  whether  it  is 
so  or  not,  it  appears  quite  clear  that  many  cases  appar- 
entl3^  of  these  mild  diseases  graduall}^  became  converted 
into  glanders  from  some  cause  or  other,  and  are  then  to- 
tall}^  incurable.  The  point  at  which  the  change  takes  place 
cannot  be  defined ;  but  the  most  experienced  surgeons  be- 
gin by  pronouncing  them  cases  of  common  cold  or  stran- 
gles, and  end  by  asserting  that  they  are  true  glanders  ; 
and  the  state  of  the  constitution  marks  the  alteration,  tlie 
horse  having  become  thin  and  haggard,  with  his  coat  star- 
ing and  rough.  Mr.  Coleman  relate  a  case  in  which  several 
sound  horses  on  board  ship  were  obliged  to  be  closely  con- 
fined under  closed  hatches,  in  consequence  of  which  some  of 
them  were  sulTocated,  and  the  remainder  showed  unmis- 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  105 

takeable  signs  of  g-landers,  althoug-h  there  was  not  the 
slig-htest  reason  to  believe  that  the}'  Avei-e  inocidated  with 
it  by  contagion.  It  is,  therefore,  reasonable  to  conclude 
Avith  the  majority  of  writers  on  the  subject,  that  glanders 
is  generated  by  foul  stables  ;  want  of  ventilation  and  over- 
crowding being  generally  the  chief  cause  and  origin  of  the 
disease.  The  essence  of  the  disease  appears  to  be  an  ulcer- 
ation of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  nostrils,  which 
speedily  contaminates  the  nearest  lymphatic  gland,  and 
finally  attacks  the  whole  s^^stem,  constituting  the  form 
called  * '  farcy," — to  be  presently  described.  The  ulcers  dis- 
charge a  poisonous  matter,  which  is  capable  of  communi- 
cating the  disease  to  other  horses  or  to  man,  or  if  absorbed 
into  the  s^'stem,  as  it  always  is  in  course  of  time,  it  destroys 
the  health  with  more  or  less  rapidity,  but  with  great  cer- 
tainty. But  this  matter  must  actually  touch  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  sound  horse,  and  no  mere  breathing  will 
suffice  to  give  the  disease.  It  is  by  drinking  out  of  the  same 
bucket,  or  by  smelling  one  another,  and  rubbing  noses  to- 
gether, or  licking  one  another,  that  one  horse  affects 
another;  and  if  the  stalls  were  higher,  it  would  be  carried 
from  one  to  the  other  much  less  frequently  than  at  present. 
But  no  one  with  any  prudence  would  run  the  risk  of  keep- 
ing an  infected  horse;  and  the  sooner  such  an  animal  is  shot 
the  better  for  all  parties,  since  neither  horse  nor  man  is  safe 
from  inoculation,  with  all  the  care  in  the  woi-ld ;  and  in  the 
latter  case  it  is  a  frightful  disease  indeed,  and  one  which  no 
one  is  justified  in  risking  under  any  pretence  whatsoever. 
Treatment  seems  to  wholly  thrown  away,  though  some  few 
cases  are  recorded  in  which  sulphate  of  copper  given  inter- 


106  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

nally  and  applied  externally  to  the  nose,  has  apparently 
cured  the  disease.  The  Spanish  fly  is  also  said  to  have  had 
the  same  good  effect,  but  I  know  nothing-  fioni  experience 
of  these  effects  ;  and  I  should  he  ver^^  unwilling-  to  try  an^^ 
experiments  on  such  an  intractable  and  loathsome  com- 
plaint. When  the  disease  is  established  in  a  lot  of  horses, 
they  had  better  all  be  destro^^ed,  and  the  stable  treated  as 
for  mang-e.  The  clothing-  should  either  be  destroyed  or 
well  washed,  and  then  baked  ;  the  wood  of  all  the  stable 
utensils  should  be  painted,  and  the  ironwork  exposed 
to  a  red  heat.  These  means  will  j)revent  its  being-  re- 
produced, and  if  proper  cleanliness  and  ventilation  are 
maintained  afterwards,  whereby  the  disease  ma}^  be  pre- 
vented from  being-  generated,  there  is  little  fear  of  its 
occurring  again ;  but  if  Professor  Coleman's  opinion  is  cor- 
rect, that  it  is  almost  always  g-enerated,  and  consequenth^ 
if  the  first  attack'was  the  result  of  filth  and  neg-lect,  unless 
the  management  has  been  altered,  it  is  scarcely  reasonable 
to  expect  anything  else  but  a  repetition  of  the  same  disease 
occurring  from  similar  causes. 

FARCY. 

By  the  term  Farcy  is  understood  the  train  of  secondary 
symptoms  which  follow  glanders  ;  and,  just  as  we  see  in  the 
syphilis  of  man  a  primar^^  sore  occurring  on  a  dift'erent 
part,  followed  by  inflammation  of  the  absorbents,  enlaj'ged 
lymphatic  glands,  and  an  eruption  on  the  skin,  so  in  the 
horse  glanders  begins  as  a  series  of  pi-imary  sores  in  tlie 
mucous  membrane  of  the  nose,  together  with  an  inflamma- 
tion of  the  lymphatic  gland,  or  glands,  of  the  throat ;  and 


AHI^ISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  lOlT 

wlieii  this  state  is  followed  l)y  secondary  symptoms,  they 
receive  the  name  of  farcy,  thoug'h  the  two  diseases  are  the 
same,  as  is  proved  by  inoculation.  Mr.  Youatt  was  of  the 
opinion  that  the  farcy-buds,  as  they  are  called,  arise  from 
the  inflammation  of  the  absorbents,  at  the  situation  of  their 
valves,  and  in  their  course  to  the  g-reat  blood-vessels  of 
the  chest ;  but  this  can  scarcely  be  the  case,  because  the 
farcy-buds  almost  always  make  their  appearance  first  upon 
the  lips  and  skin  of  the  nose,  parts  which  are  more  distant 
fram  the  chest  than  the  original  ulcers,  and  certainly  not 
on  the  line  of  any  valvular  absorbents.  The  fact  is,  that, 
as  in  syphilis,  the  matter  is  absorbed  into  the  whole  sys- 
tem, and  is  then  deposited  upon  the  surface,  choosing", 
apparently,  the  most  highly  organized  skin,  in  preference 
to  that  furnished  with  fewer  blood-vessels.  The  appear- 
ance is  as  follows :  First  of  all  small  tumors  arise,  fre- 
quently in  the  course  of  the  veins,  but  often  in  other 
situations ;  and  as  they  grow  they  become  hard,  and 
suppurate  ;  after  which  they  burst,  and  discharge  a  thin 
watery  matter ;  the  sore  presenting  the  same  appearance 
with  almost  all  poisonous  sores,  viz.,  a  deep  central  cavity, 
with  a  rugged,  hard,  and  elevated  edge,  and  an  unhealthy 
watery  discharge.  Sometimes  the  in  sides  of  the  hinder 
extremities  are  affected  equally  with  the  foi'e-quarter ;  but 
more  often  the  latter  is  the  chief  seat  of  the  eruption,  the 
inside  of  the  arm,  the  tender  skin  of  the  brisket,  the 
muzzle,  and  neck  being  thickly  studded  with  farcy-buds 
and  sores  in  all  stages  of  progress.  B3^-and-by,  the  deep- 
seated  absorbents  become  affected,  the  ulceration  extends 
deeply  between  the  sheaths  of  the  muscles  and  tendons,  and 


108  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SIIOEmG. 

even  into  the  chest ;  and,  at  last,  the  whole  cellular  mem- 
brane and  lymphatic  glands  become  one  mass  of  disease, 
finally  wearing-  down  the  horse  by  irritative  fever.  This 
is  the  regular  course  which  will  occur  in  most  cases ;  but 
there  are  numerous  exceptions,  in  which  farcy  breaks  out 
suddenly  without  any  warning-  of  these  small  and  insidious 
steps,  and  the  ulcerations  run  their  course  more  rapidly 
than  I  have  here  described  them.  With  regard  to  the 
identity  of  the  two  diseases,  there  can,  I  think,  be  little 
doubt  on  the  matter,  when  it  has  so  often  been  demon- 
strated by  inoculation  that  the  matter  of  either  will  produce 
a  primary  sore  in  the  shape  of  glanders,  followed  by 
secondary  ulcers  in  the  shape  of  farc3^  The  latter  disease, 
when  inoculated  into  the  system  of  another  horse,  does 
not  at  once  reproduce  its  own  likeness,  but  only  bA^  means 
of  aglandered  ulcer  of  the  nose,  or  of  any  other  part  in  which 
it  is  inserted.  If  it  is  inserted  in  the  skin,  it  is  some  time 
in  breaking  out  into  ulcers,  and  it  does  not  always  succeed  ; 
but  finally  the  secondary  symptoms  appear  just  as  if  it 
were  introduced  into  the  Schneiderian  membrane ;  hence, 
it  is  reasonable  to  conclude  that  the  two  are  identical,  and 
that  the  analogy  with  S3q3hilis  is  complete.  Farc}^  is  dis- 
tinguished from  several  other  diseases  which  resemble  it 
by  the  following  signs  : 

From  Grease  it  ma^^  be  known  when  it  attacks  the  legs, 
by  the  inflammation  being  less  acute,  though  the  swelling 
is  often  more  sudden,  but  the  redness  and  glossiness  are 
not  so  great ;  also  b3^  the  following  symptoms  given  in  the 
table  herewith : 


AUTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEiNG. 


100 


In  Grease, 
There  is  generally  some  crack  or 
evident  appearance  of  grease, 
witii  ichorous  discharge  from  the 
skin,  and  great  redness  and  glos- 
siness of  it.  The  swelling  is  very 
great,  but  it  is  greatest  towards 
the  lower  part,  which  is  evidently 
the  fons  et  origo  mali.  This  at- 
tack is  often  called  the  "swelled 
leg,"  which  is  perfectly  distinct 
from  the  ordinary  ^Z/ed  leg. 


In  Farcy, 
There  are  always  some  ulcers 
irregularly  circular,  and  with 
hard  edges ;  skin  not  very  red 
or  shining,  but  swollen,  and  free 
from  discharge.  Great  general 
tenderness,  but  no  cracks  in  the 
heels ;  absorbents  inflamed,  and 
showing  hard  lines  and  knots  in 
their  course.  The  intlammation 
extends  upwards,  and  the  swell- 
ing is  greatest  above  the  hock. 


From  Surfeit  farcy  is  easily  disting-uished  by  the  absence 
of  all  ulceration  in  the  former,  and  by  the  hair  in  it  merel^^ 
coming"  off,  leaving"  a  bare  place  beneath  ;  the  little  lumps 
in  surfeit  are  not  so  large  as  in  farcy,  except  in  the  very 
early  stage  ;  and  they  come  out  over  the  body  suddenly, 
while  farcy  appears  a  bud  at  a  time. 

From  Anasarca  there  can  be  no  difficulty  in  distinguish- 
ing this  disease,  because  in  the  drops^^  of  the  celloilar 
membrame  there  are  no  lumps,  but  an  uniform  swelling*  of 
the  limb.  There  is  a  local  oedema  of  the  brisket,  which  is 
called  water-farc}',  most  improperh^  being  mereh^  a  sign 
of  general  weakness,  from  the  vessels  g'iving'  way  in  the 
most  depending  part  of  the  body. 

The  treatment  of  farcy  may  be  conducted  upon  more 
probable  gi-ounds  of  a  cure  than  in  the  case  of  glanders — 
that  is  to  say,  if  the  horse  is  not  so  thoroughly  infected  as 
is  sometimes  the  case.  When  glanders  is  detected  earl 3^, 
it  is  usuall}^  a  very  virulent  case,  because  trifling-  attacks 
of  it  are  generally  overlooked,  and  are  suffered  to  deg-en- 
erate  into  farcy  before  anything-  is  done  ;    and  thus  it  is 


110  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

said  that  the  farcy  is  often  curable,  while  g-landers  is 
scarcely  ever  so.  Now,  when  this  is  said  to  be  the  case  by 
the  very  men  who  maintain  their  identity,  there  must  be 
some  extraordinary  process  of  reasoning-  going  on  in  their 
minds  ;  but  the  truth  is,  as  I  have  remarked,  that  wiiereas 
those  cases  of  glanders  which  come  under  treatment  are 
very  severe  ones,  so  they  are  difficult  of  cure;  and  in  the 
same  way  farc}^  is  seldom  suffered  to  be  developed  from 
g-landers  when  that  was  originally  in  a  malignant  form; 
and  hence,  b^^  being  mild,  it  is  curable.  Such  I  believe  to 
be  the  explanation  of  the  fact,  which  is  universally  admitted, 
that  farcy  is  much  more  amenable  to  treatment  than 
glanders  as  usually  presented  to  the  veterinar^^  practi- 
tioner ;  the  former  being  seldom  malignant,  and  the  latter 
generally  so.  The  cure  is  effected  by  local  as  well  as  con- 
stitutional means. 

The  local  remedy  is  the  destruction  of  the  ulcer  or  bud, 
either  by  the  actual  cautery  (the  budding  iron),  which 
should  be  applied-  to  every  ulcer  or  bud  so  as  completel}^  to 
destroy  it.  The  knife  should  first  divide  those  buds  which 
have  not  ulcerated,  after  wiiich  the  iron  will  act  more 
energetically  upon  them.,  and  yet  with  less  destruction  of 
the  surrounding  skin  ;  or  the  sulphate  of  copper  should  be 
freely  rubbed  into  the  ulcers,  and  made  to  destroy  their 
surface.  Arsenic  and  strong  nitric  acid,  likewise,  have 
been  used  with  success,  but  their  power  is  too  great  to  be 
trifled  with  by  an  inexpei'ienced  man.  Whatever  local 
remedy  is  used  should  be  followed  up  wherever  the  bud 
makes  its  appearance,  as  there  seems  to  be  no  tendency  to 
heal  without  some  destruction  of  parts  giving  a  new  and 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  Ill 

healthy  stimulus  to  the  fresh  surface.  The  constitutional 
treatment  is  still  more  important  than  the  local,  and  should 
consist  of  such  substances  as  will  cause  an  excessive 
secretion  from  some  organ,  carrying-  with  it  the  poison  of 
the  disease  ;  and  this  substance  should  be  as  little  lowering" 
to  the  horse  as  possible.  Three  such  medicines  are  known, 
viz.,  mercury,  arsenic  and  iodine,  all  of  which  are  paraded 
by  their  several  advocates  as  certain  cures.  The  bichloride 
of  mercury  (corrosive  sublimate)  is  the  form  g-enerally 
given,  in  doses  of  from  5  to  15  g-rs.,  dissolved  carefulh^ 
and  then  added  to  a  pint  of  g-ruel,  the  next  morning.  If 
arsenic  is  given,  it  may  be  administered  according  to  the 
formula  already  given  ;  and  I  believe  it  to  be  bj^  far  the 
best  remedy  in  farc^^,  and  the  least  injurious  to  the  horse. 
But  it  is  onl3'  as  an  experiment  upon  a  horse  which  would 
otherwise  be  shot  that  I  should  ever  advise  the  owner  to 
use  these  powerful  drugs  without  regular  advice,  as  it  will 
seldom  happen  that  he  will  be  able  to  calculate  the  proper 
dose,  or  to  knoAv  when  to  push  it,  and  when  to  hold  his 
hand.  Sometimes,  however,  such  a  case  occurs  as  the  one 
I  have  alluded  to,  and  then  he  may  feel  justified  in  tr3'ing 
his  luck ;  and  if  so,  I  Avould  suggest  his  giving  the 
biniodide  of  mercury  as  follows  :  Biniodide  of  mercury, 
3  to  5  grs. ;  linseed  meal  and  Avater,  enough  to  make  a  ball. 
To  be  given  three  times  a  day.  This  I  believe  to  be  more 
likeh^  than  any  other  remedy  to  effect  a  radical  cure  of  the 
disease.  The  dose  may  be  increased  up  to  8  or  10  grains, 
with  care  ;  but  the  above  will  generally  be  found  sufficient, 
and  more  safe  than  corrosive  sublimate  or  arsenic. 


112  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


GLANDERS  IN  MAN. 

Glanders  in  man  is  a  horrible  disease,  capable  of  being* 
inoculated  from  the  horse  when  there  is  an  abrasion  of  the 
surface.  Numerous  cases  of  this  kind  have  occurred,  all  of 
which  have  been  fatal  wiien  allowed  to  reach  the  stage  of 
absorption.  If,  however,  the  inoculated  sore  is  destroyed  by 
the  hot  iron,  or  by  lunar  caustic  or  fused  jjotass,  there  is 
very  little  risk  of  the  disease  spreading  ;  and  therefore  the 
groom  who  has  the  care  of  a  g-landered  horse,  and  who  finds 
a  sore  on  his  arm  or  hand,  should  ahvays  consult  a  skillful 
surgeon  at  once,  and  follow  his  advice,  if  he  prescribes  any 
form  of  caustic,  on  the  supposition  that  it  is  the  disease  we 
are  now  considering".  When  it  has  been  absorbed,  there 
seems  to  be  little  chance  of  a  cure,  though  there  are  one  or 
two  doubtful  cases  on  record  in  w^hich  it  is  said  to  have  been 
effected.  At  all  events  it  is  worth  the  trial,  and  the  bin- 
iodide  of  mercury  holds  out  the  best  chance  of  a  cure,  in 
doses  of  one-third  of  a  grain  three  times  a  day. 

j  STRAINS  AND  BREAKS-DOWN. 

Strains  may  affect  either  the  muscles,  joints,  or  tendons, 
and  each  of  these  three  sets  of  organs  are  constantly  suf- 
fering from  them.  Muscular  strains  consist  of  an  absolute 
tearing  of  the  fibrous  tissue  composing  the  muscles,  or  else 
of  such  an  approach  to  a  disruption  as  to  have  an  equally 
prejudicial  effect  in  producing  lameness.  In  some  cases 
the  wiiole  of  a  small  bundle  of  fibres  is  torn  across ;  but 
this  is  not  the  usual  degree  in  which  strams  occur,  and  the 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  113 

most  common  amount  of  mischief  is  only  a  slight  separation 
of  a  few  of  the  very  small  fibres  of  which  the  bundle  is 
Qomposed;  and  this  state  is  then  generally  spread  over  a 
considerable  surface,  prcrducing  considerable  soreness  from 
inflammation.  Tendonous  and  Ligamentous  Strains  are 
very  similar  in  their  nature,  and  consist  either  in  an  absol- 
ute tearing  apart  of  these  fibres,  or  such  an  approach  to 
this  as  to  cause  great  inflammation,  and  consequent  inca- 
pacity for  using  them.  Sometimes  what  is  supposed  to  be  a 
strain  of  the  tendon  is  really  an  inflammation  in  its  sheath, 
which  causes  great  swelling  and  pain,  and  the  limb  is 
thereby  rendered  quite  useless  for  the  time  being. 

Strain  of  the  Shoulder  is  generall^^  a  cloak  for  the  igno- 
rance of  the  groom  or  other  attendant  upon  the  horse,  it 
being  really  a  very  rare  accident,  though  often  assigned  as 
a  cause  for  lameness  which  is  really  in  the  feet,  leg-s,  or 
knees.  It  is  an  inflammation  of  some  of  the  muscles  of  the 
shoulder  following  violent  strain,  and  generally  confined  to 
the  serratus  muscle,  which  slings  the  body  to  the  shoulder- 
blade,  and  which  is  sometimes  strained  in  coming  clown 
from  a  high  leap,  etc.  The  symptoms  are  a  dragging  of 
the  toe  in  the  walk,  with  deficiency  of  action  on  the  trot, 
and  a  drop  of  the  head  while  the  afl'ected  leg  is  being  ex- 
tended, and  not  while  it  is  on  the  ground  ;  hence,  when 
shoulder  lameness,  is  mistaken  for  foot  lameness,  the 
groom  is  apt  to  shift  the  blame  on  to  the  wrong  foot.  It 
may  also  be  distinguished  by  laying  hold  of  the  affected  leg, 
and  draAving  the  whole  together  icith  the  shoulder  forwards, 
when,  if  the  latter  is  affected,  the  horse  will  give  evidence 
of  pain,  which  he  will  not  do  if  the  foot  or  leg  is  the  seat  of* 


114  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEIKG. 

the  mischief.  The  treatment  for  shoulder-lameness  lies  in 
rest,  bleeding-,  purging-,  cooling  halls,  with  nitre,  etc.,  and  if 
it  continues,  the  insertion  of  a  rowel  in  the  bosom.  A  cooling; 
diet  of  green  meat  will  also  be  needful,  and  all  the  corn 
should  be  taken  away.  After  all  the  heat  has  disappeared, 
the  horse  may  be  turned  loose  into  a  box,  and  in  another 
fortnig-ht  he  may  be  walked  out  with  a  leading-'rein ;  but  it 
should  be  two  or  three  months  before  he  is  again  mounted. 

Strain  of  the  Stifle  is  confined  to  the  joint,  which  be- 
comes hot  and  tender,  and  often  swells  considerably.  The 
remedies  are  the  same  as  for  the  shoulder,  but  a  blister  will 
often  pi'ove  very  efficacious,  and  it  ma^"  be  useci  in  prefer- 
ence to  a  rowel,  and  repeated  ag-ain  and  ag-ain. 

Strain  of  the  Round-hone,  or  Whirl-hone,  as  it  is 
termed  by  horsemen,  is  really  confined  to  the  hip-joint, 
which  is  often  strained,  but  more  frequently  said  to  be  so 
than  really  affected.  It  is  very  difficult  to  pronounce  with 
certainty  that  this  joint  is  strained,  but  sometimes  the 
wasting-  of  the  muscles  affords  unmistakable  evidence  of 
the  nature  of  the  disease.  Blisters  and  embrocations  afford 
the  greatest  chance  of  relief ;  but  when  the  wasting-  is  very 
marked,  and  there  is  no  evidence  of  present  mischief, 
nothing-  but  compulsory  Avork  Avill  cure  the  disease.  Lig-lit 
farm-work,  such  as  harrowing  and  the  like,  will  often  do 
more  good  than  all  the  applications  in  the  world,  simply 
because  the  muscles  have  lost  tone,  and  require  the  stimu- 
lus of  necessity  to  make  them  recover  theii-  power. 

Strain  of  the  Back-sinew  occurs  in  all  the  varied  degrees 
from  a  slight  strain  to  a  breaking-down.  When  the 
sinews   are  merely  slightly  strained,  it  is  g-enerall}^  their 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  115 

sheath  Avhich  is  affected  ;  but  if  there  is  very  great  swell- 
ing-, especially  after  racing,  the  chances  are  that  there  is 
actual  breaking  down  of  the  fibres  of  the  tendon  or  suspen- 
sory ligament,  and  often  to  a  considerable  extent.  It  is  very 
unusual,  hoAvever,  for  there  to  be  an  actual  and  entire  sep- 
aration, and  the  most  ordinar}^  condition  is  for  the  horse  to 
come  in  from  his  race  very  lame  indeed,  yet  without  his 
fetlock  touching  the  ground,  and  with  only  a  partial  sepa- 
ration of  the  fibres,  so  that  if  it  Avere  not  for  the  pain,  he 
would  bear  his  weight  on  the  leg.  In  the  Avorst  cases, 
hoAA^ever,  the  fetlock-joint  actually  touches  the  ground 
behind,  and  the  leg  is  for  the  time  rendered  quite  incapable 
of  bearing  any  Aveight  at  all.  There  is  generally  some 
Avarning  of  this  state  of  the  tendon,  AA^hich  enlarges  about 
midAA^ay  betAveen  the  knee  or  hock  and  the  fetlock,  and 
forms  there  an  OA^al  sAvelling.  When  this  is  the 
case,  the  chances  are  ten  to  one  that  an  actual  break- 
doAvn  occurs,  although  there  may  be  no  abolute  lameness ; 
but  the  inflammation  is  a  sign  that  the  tendon  is  in  an  unfit 
state  for  Avork,  and  that  it  Avill  most  likely  give  Avay  in  the 
next  severe  gallop.  The  proper  treatment  consists  in  cool- 
ing general  remedies;  such  as  purging,  bleeding  if  neces- 
sary, and  the  nitre  and  tartar  emetic  ball.  To  this  is  to  be 
added  light  food,  consisting  of  bran  mashes,  or  green  meat, 
without  corn,  and  entire  rest.  Locally  cooling  lotions  are 
to  be  appfied,  and  ice,  if  it  can  be  procured  in  sufficient 
quantity.  A  bran  poultice  should  be  applied,  AAith  scA^eral 
lumps  of  ice  in  it;  and  as  fast  as  they  melt  fresh  lumps 
should  be  added.  The  poiiltict^  is  best  put  in  an  old 
Avorsted  stocking,  Avhich  Avill   hold   a  large  mass   of  bran 


116  ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 

round  the  leg*.  In  this  way  the  active  inflammation  may 
g'enerally  be  speedily  subdued,  reducing-  it  to  the  state  in 
which  strains  of  the  back-sinew  usuall^^  appear;  but,  of 
course,  the  more  complete  the  rupture  of  the  tendon,  the 
greater  the  difficulty  of  effecting-  a  radical  cure.  But  it 
should  be  known  that  these  parts  reunite  and  that  a  broken- 
down  horse  will  often  recover  the  use  of  his  leg  for  ordinary 
purposes  ;  thougii  he  will  seldom  stand  the  severe  trial 
which  racing-  or  training*  demands.  After  the  ice  poultice 
has  been  discontinued,  and  at  the  end  of  three  weeks  or  a 
month,  when  the  leg-  is  quite  cool,  it  may  be  necessary  to 
blister  or  flre  the  limb,  or  to  apply  a  charge.  If  the  strain 
is  very  severe,  nothing  is  so  effectual  as  firing,  followed  by 
a  blister.  Next  to  this  comes  an  ordinary  blister  with  mer- 
cur}^  or  the  biniodide  of  mercur^^  The  charge  is  a  good 
remedy  after  this  last,  as  it  prevents  the  horse  from  using 
the  tendon  too  soon,  and  affords  a  firm  mechanical  support. 
The  good  effect  of  the  arnica  is  also  very  considerable.  In 
old  swellings  of  the  back  sinews,  consisting  of  an  enlarge- 
ment of  the  sheath,  rather  than  of  a  real  break-down,  a 
sweating  embrocation,  will  often  effect  an  absorption  of 
the  swelling,  and  prevent  further  mischief;  but  it  should 
not  be  used  when  there  is  any  heat  of  the  part,  the  cooling 
lotion  being  then  the  proper  remedy.  It  should  always  be 
remembered  that  in  strains,  when  there  is  increased  heat 
of  the  leg,  cooling  medicines,  low  diet,  and  cooling  lotions 
are  the  proper  remedies  ;  and  that  firing,  blistering,  and 
stimulating  embrocations  must  be  defin'red  until  this  treat- 
ment has  had  time  to  produce  the  desired  effect.  If 
the  contrary  plan  is  pursued,  matters  are  onl^^  rendered 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  117 

worse  than  before,  and  a  slig'ht  strain  is  often  thereby  con- 
verted into  serious  mischief.  This  golden  rule  should  be 
rig-orously  acted  on  by  stablemen  in  all  cases. 


BROKEN    KNEES. 

Broken  knees,  like  strains,  are  of  every  degree,  from  the 
slightest  touch  to  the  horrible  wounds  of  the  joint  which 
sometimes  occur  when  a  horse  is  dragged  over  a  flinty  road, 
or  falls  over  a  heap  of  stones.  These  accidents,  however, 
rarely  occur,  if  we  are  to  believe  the  assertions  of  horse 
salesmen,  who  pledge  their  honor  (!)  to  the  fact  that 
each  case  has  been  occasioned  by  the  manger,  or  by  a 
stone  wall  in  hunting,  if  the  horse  has  at  all  the  appear- 
ance of  that  class  of  animals  who  are  likely  to  be  used  as 
hunters.  But,  leaving  the  cause  out  of  the  question,  it 
remains  to  consider  what  is  the  best  treatment  Avhen  it 
unfortunately  happens  that  a  particular  horse  has  really 
touched  his  knee  by  a  contacts  with  the  ground.  This 
will  depend  upon  the  extent  of  mischief,  which  may  be 
one  or  other  of  the  three  following  degrees :  First,  if  the 
hair  and  cuticle  only  are  rubbed  off,  and  the  cutis,  or 
real  skin,  is  entire,  the  best  plan  is  to  give  the  horse  a 
dose  of  physic,  and  bathe  the  knee  night  and  morning 
with  hot  water,  if  there  is  an^^  swelling,  or  to  appl^^  the 
tincture  of  aimica  diluted  with  water,  in  the  proportion 
of  two  drachms  of  the  tincture  to  a  pint  of  water; 
then,  when  all  the  inflammation  is  gone  off,  which  will 
usually  be  in  a  couple  of  days,  apply  a  blister  to 
the  whole  of   the  knee  except   the   back,  which  is  to  be 


118  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

well  guarded  with  lard,  and  this  will  bring  off  all  the 
hair,  which  will  be  reneAved,  together  with  that  cover- 
ing* the  part  rubbed  off,  in  about  three  weeks,  and  will 
almost  invariably  prevent  any  blemish,  which  is  very  apt  to 
show  itself  if  the  blister  is  not  applied  ;  for  although  the 
hair  comes  on  again  if  left  to  itself,  it  is  often  of  a  different 
color  to  that  of  the  surrounding  parts,  and  the  critical  e^^e 
distinguishes  the  blemish  at  once.  Secondl}^,  if  the  true 
skin  is  cut  through  so  as  to  show  the  cellular  membrane 
beneath  it,  but  the  joint  itself  is  not  exposed,  a  physic  ball 
may  be  given  as  before,  and  hot  fomentations  applied  if  the 
bruise  is  very  severe,  or  the  arnica  wash  at  once  if  there  is 
only  moderate  swelling.  As  soon  as  the  inflammation  is 
abated,  I  should  here  also  apply  a  blister,  because  I 
have  always  found  that  the  swelling  caused  by  it  contracts 
the  wound,  and  that  the  consequent  blemish  is  much  less 
than  would  otherwise  be  the  case.  Indeed,  I  have  suc- 
ceeded in  this  way  in  effecting  almost  complete  cures  of 
very  large  wounds  of  the  skin,  where  a  piece  of  it  as  large 
as  a  25-cent-piece  has  absolutely  been  cut  away,  besides 
more  extensive  abrasions  of  the  cutical  around  its  edges. 
Such  a  broken  knee  would,  in  the  ordinary  way,  have  exhib- 
ited a  permanently  bare  spot  of  the  size  of  a  10-cent-piece, 
but  by  the  above  treatment  the  bare  space  Avas  not  bigger 
than  a  pea,  and  sometimes  scarcely  so  large.  After  the 
blister  has  risen,  it  must  be  carefully  dressed  with  sweet 
oil,  or  lard  Avithout  salt,  sometimes  called  ''fresh  liquor"; 
and  when  the  wound  on  the  knee  throws  out  healing  granu- 
lations above  the  level  of  the  skin,  they  must  be  kept  down 
to  the  exact  level  by  touching  them  freely  with  a  piece  of 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING.  119 

blue-stone  every  day.  The  whole  art  consists  in  causing" 
the  wound  to  contract  by  tlie  swelling-  and  stimulus  of 
the  blister,  and  in  keeping-  down  the  granulations,  or 
"proud  flesh,"  as  they  are  called,  by  means  of  caustic. 
The  groom,  however,  should  carefully  avoid  touching  these, 
unless  they  are  above  the  surrounding  skin,  for  below  its 
surface  they  are  useful  and  necessar^^  to  the  healing- 
process.  Thirdly,  when  the  joint  itself  is  opened,  the  aid 
of  a  veterinary  surgeon  should  be  called  in,  who  will  decide 
upon  the  propriety  or  otherwise  of  destroying  the  animal. 
Sometimes  there  is  only  a  small  opening,  which  may  at 
once  be  closed  with  the  touch  of  a  hot  iron  ;  and  at  others 
there  is  a  discharge  of  serum,  which  the  uninitiated  will  mis- 
take for  synovia  (joint  oil);  but  in  an^^  cases  it  is  better  to 
have  the  advice  of  a  competent  judge  of  the  injury. 


KNOCKING  DOWN  OF  THE  HIP. 

The  point  of  the  hip  is  often  knocked  off  by  the  horse 
being  cast  in  the  stall  or  in  the  field  ;  sometimes  by  falling 
into  a  ditch  in  the  dry  summer  weather,  when  the  struggles 
of  the  animal  Avill  often  break  off  the  extreme  point  of  the 
hip,  especially  if  at  all  ragged,  and  then  the  muscles,  acting 
upon  the  broken  portion  to  wliich  they  are  attached,  draw 
it  down  out  of  its  place,  and  the  hip  is  said  to  be  ''knocked 
down."  After  a  time  it  does  not  much  interfere  with  the 
ordinary  action  of  the  horse  ;  but  I  am  not  aware  of  any 
horse  having  been  able  to  race  after  such  an  accident, 
though  many  otherwise  lik'cly  colts  have  been  thrown  by, 
and  used  for  the  stud  or  other  purposes,  in  consequence  of 


120  ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 

its  occurrence.  Nothing  can  be  done  to  relieve  the  horse, 
and  time  only  will  remove  the  lameness,  which  at  first  is 
often  ver3^  considerable,  from  the  bruises  which  the  muscles 
have  received,  as  well  as  the  disruption  of  their  fibres 
which  must  necessarily  have  occurred. 


QUITTOR,   PRICKING,   THORNS,  ETC. 

Quittor  consists  of  a  sinus  running-  downwards  beneath 
the  horn  of  the  hoof,  and  occasioned  by  a  blow  or  other 
injui-y  of  the  coronet;  or  by  some  cause  which  has  pro- 
duced an  abcess  under  the  horn.  It  is,  in  fact,  a  sinus 
under  the  hoof  ;  but  those  only  are  generally  called  quittor 
Avhich  depend  upon  bruises  or  wounds  of  the  coronet ;  while 
those  sinuses  arising  from  pricks  or  inflamed  corns  are 
called  ''sinuses  of  the  foot."  In  the  former  case  a  stimu- 
lating application,  thrust  in  with  a  probe  covered  with 
lint,  will  generally  cause  adhesion  of  the  sides  of  the  sinus, 
and  effect  a  cure.  A  stroug  solution  of  nitrate  of  silver, 
or  chloride  of  zinc,  is  the  best  remedy.  If  the  sinuses 
arise  from  below,  and  break  out  on  the  coronet,  an 
opening  must  be  made  in  the  sole  of  the  foot  wherever 
the  prick  or  corn  produced  the  mischief,  so  that  the  matter 
will  always  gravitate  towards  the  bottom,  and  thus  the 
sinus  will  heal  at  the  top.  The  nitrate  of  silver  will  here 
also  be  a  good  dressing ;  or  the  friar's  balsam  may  some- 
times be  used  with  advantage. 

Pricks  in  shoeing  are  constantly  occurring,  especially  in 
country  districts,  where  the  smith  often  drives  three  or  four 
nails  in  succession  before  he  gets  one  tp  come  out  g^t  the 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEINa.  121 

rig"ht  place ;  and  the  horse's  flinching-  clearly  shows  the 
sensible  part  into  which  the  nails  have  made  their  way 
under  his  wild  blows.  It  often  happens  that  the  injury  is 
not  at  once  detected,  but  a  day  or  two  after  shoeing-  the 
horse  is  evidentl^^  uneasy  in  his  foot,  and  more  or  less  lame. 
On  removing"  the  shoe,  it  is  found  that  there  is  g-reat 
tenderness  at  some  particular  part  of  the  foot,  and  some- 
times a  great  bulg-ing- ;  but  this  is  seldom  evident  so  soon. 
It  is  the  better  plan  to  place  the  foot  in  a  cold  bran  poultice, 
without  a  shoe  on,  and  wait  for  a  day  or  two,  when,  if  the 
foot  continues  very  hot,  the  smith  must  pare  down  the  horn 
over  the  suspected  place,  and  let  out  the  matter  if  there  is 
any;  or,  if  necessary,  bleed  at  the  toe,  which  is  likely  to 
relieve  the  inflammation,  and  prevent  suppuration,  if  it  has 
not  already  occurred.  If  matter  has  formed  and  is  let  out 
a  little,  friar's  balsam  is  pushed  into  the  abscess  on  a  piece 
of  lint,  and  the  shoe  tacked  on  ;  but  the  lint  must  be  so 
placed  as  to  be  capable  of  being-  pulled  out  on  the  next  day, 
so  as  to  leave  a  clear  opening  for  the  matter  to  escape.  In 
a  few  days  the  shoe  must  be  taken  off  again,  and  any 
ragged  pieces  of  horn  removed,  as  Avell  as  the  opening 
enlarg-ed  if  necessary.  The  sinus  ma^^  now  be  treated  as 
described  under  quittor.  Sometimes  a  prick  occurs  from  a 
nail  picked  up  on  the  road,  and  then  the  accident  must  be 
treated  as  if  it  occurred  in  shoeing-. 

Thorns  received  into  the  skin  in  hunting-  are  often  very 
troublesome,  and  should  be  searched  for  most  carefully 
when  they  are  suspected  to  be  present.  The  best  way  is  to 
wet  the  leg  thoroughly  with  hot  water,  and  then  to  smooth 
the  hair  down  slowly  with  the  fingers,  when  the  slightest 


122  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

inequality  will  be  discovered,  which  in  the  dry  state  would 
be  readily  passed  over.  When  the  thorn  is  found,  it  may  be 
extracted  with  a  pair  of  tweezers;  or  sometimes  it  may  be 
necessarj^  to  slit  the  skin  up  for  a  short  distance,  in  order 
to  reach  the  butt-end  of  the  thorn,  which  should  be  re- 
moved entire  if  possible. 

CASTRATION, 

Is  the  operation  of  removing-  the  testicles  of  the  horse,  and 
is  now  performed  with  g-reat  dexterity  by  our  best  veterin- 
ary^ surg-eons,  and  with  ver^^  little  risk  to  the  colt.  It 
should,  however,  never  be  attempted  by  any  one  but  the 
above  gentlemen ;  and  I  shall  not  occupy  space  here  by  a 
description  of  the  operation.  It  is  g-enerallj'  performed 
upon  the  colt  at  or  soon  after  weaning-- time  ;  but  in  many 
cases,  when  the  head  and  neck  are  sufficiently-  developed,  it 
should  be  deferred  to  the  spring-  of  the  second  year. 

RUPTURES. 

Ruptures  at  the  Navel  are  cured  by  passing-  a  strong  pin 
through  the  skin,  and  then  winding  some  cord  round  it,  so 
as  to  produce  inflammation  and  obliteration  of  the  passage. 
But  this  should  always  be  left  to  the  reg-ular  practitioner. 

NERVING. 

Nerving  is  an  operation  done  upon  the  nei-ves  of  the  feet, 
by  which  they  are  divided,  and  thus  those  organs  are  ren- 
dered for  the  time  insensible  to  pain.     It  is  easily  done  by 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING.  123 

any  one  who  knows  the  relative  situation  of  the  veins,  ar- 
teries and  nerves  ;  but  no  one  who  is  not  accustomed  to  the 
knife  should  attempt  the  operation. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF  CHLOROFORM. 

Chloroform  may  be  given  to  the  horse.  By  me^ns  of  a 
nose-bag-  it  may  easil^^  be  introduced  into  his  system,  by 
which  he  is  rendered  wholly  insensible  to  pain ;  but  the 
veterinary  surg-eon  should  always  have  the  control  of  so 
active  an  ag-ent. 

CORNS. 

There  are  several  forms  in  Avhich  these  troublesome 
g-rowths  manifest  themselves,  thoug-h  their  cause  and  lo- 
cation are  g'enerally  the  same. 

The  seat  of  corns  is  always  in  the  sole  of  the  foot,  or  its 
lower  connection  Avith  the  wall  in  the  posterior  portion  of 
the  hoof,  at  or  in  the  angie  made  by  the  wall  in  its  return 
to  form  the  bars. 

The  primary  cause  of  all  corns  in  the  horse's  foot  is  an 
uneven  ground  surface,  resulting  either  from  the  improper 
leveling  of  the  foot  by  the  farrier  or  its  previous  neglect. 
Let  the  foot  alwa^^s  be  pared  level,  and  the  shoe  properly 
adjusted  to  the  wall,  and  corns  will  find  no  abiding  place  in 
feet  possessed  of  these  conditions. 

Hard  corns  are  a  fungoid  growth  upon  the  inner  sole,  at 
its  junction  with  the  horn}^  laminaB,  and  lie  beneath,  as  well 
as  at  the  side  and  rear  of  the  foot  bone.  This  substance 
bears  some  resemblance  and  is  analogous  to  the  corn  of  the 


121  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

human  subject,  being"  a  thickened  deposit  of  a  kind  of  hard 
skin,  and,  from  its  crowding-  into  the  sensitive  surfaces,  the 
source  of  so  much  trouble  and  pain.  The  corn  may  be  gen- 
erated by  severe  contusions  upon  the  inner  sole,  but  it  geu- 
erallj^  arises  from  a  lateral  compression  of  the  horny  hoof 
inward  upon  the  sensitive  parts. 

The  vertical  pressure  of  the  horse's  weight  upon'the  foot 
bone  is  oftentimes  so  severe,  and  its  winged  extremities  are 
imposed  down  upon  the  underlying  membrane  and  sensitive 
sole  so  suddenly  and  forcibly  as  to  bruise  them  against  the 
horny  sole  or  shoe  without.  The  bruise  thus  established 
develops  the  wet  or  sappy  corn,  which  consists  of  an  effu- 
sion of  blood  or  serum  into  the  pores  of  the  horn,  marking 
its  location  by  leaving  a  stain  upon  the  outer  sole.  When 
the  stain  appears  dark,  and  is  easil^^  removed  by  pariug 
awa3%  the  corn  is  old  and  working  out,  but  Avhen  the  stain 
appears  bright  and  ruddy,  by  penetrating  further  into  the 
horn,  the  corn  is  new,  and  needs  attention.  These  corns 
may  be  aggravated  by  additional  injury,  and  terminate  in 
a  more  serious  form,  knoAvn  as  the  superative,  in  which 
case  the  sensitiveness  will  be  greatly  increased,  causing  in- 
tense pain,  and,  as  a  necessary  consequence,  acute  lame 
ness,  or  finally  resulting  in  laying  the  foundation  for  a 
quittor. 

In  preparing  the  foot  for  the  shoe,  if  the  horn  should  ex- 
hibit signs  of  moisture  or  discoloration,  caused  by  the 
exudation  of  a  sappy  or  wet  corn,  open  the  centre  of  the 
part  indicated,  and  gradually  remove  the  sole,  until  the 
foreign  matter  is  released.  The  foot  must  next  be  dressed 
down  until  it  requires  a  perfect  level  basis.     For  draught 


AUTISTIC  HORSE-SHOElNa.  125 

horses,  let  the  toe  be  shortened  and  the  heels  lowered; 
appl3^  a  bar  shoe  the  toe  calkin  to  be  set  well  back  from  the 
front  of  the  shoe.  After  the  shoe  is  on  put  a  few  drops  of 
spirits  of  salts,  then  some  hoof  ointment  to  stop  eating". 
This  way  I  have  cured  some  very  bad  corns. 


SORENESS  OF  THE  FLEXOR  TENDON. 

As  its  name  implies,  this  complaint  is  an  injury  to  the 
back  sinew,  from  the  effects  of  over- taxation.  Work 
horses  are  liable  to  become  so  affected,  though  it  occurs 
more  frequently  in  the  running  and  trotting  horses,  by 
reason  of  their  immense  strides,  the  force  of  which  has  a 
tendency — when  prolonged  to  a  certain  extent — to  cause 
the  tendons  to  become  swollen  and  inflamed. 

The  shoe  should  extend  well  back  at  the  heels,  the  calkins 
being  at  least  one-half  inch  higher  at  the  heels  than  at  the 
sides  of  the  toe,  where  it  should  be  w^ell  rolled  on  the  ground 
surface,  in  order  that  the  horse  may  be  enabled  to  "get 
over  "  the  toe  of  his  foot  with  but  little  strain  on  the  flexor 
tendon. 

I  have  also  found  the  scoop-toed  rolling-motion  shoe  very 
successful  in  the  cases  of  trotting  and  running  horses. 
The  feet  should  alwaj^s  be  well  leveled  and  straightened, 
and  the  toes  shortened  as  much  as  safety"  will  permit.  A 
preliminary  application  of  bandages  with  cold  water  ma}' 
be  found  beneficial.  Make  a  shoe  wide  in  web,  with  four 
calks  all  put  on  length  w^ays. 


126  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


THE  MULE. 

As  this  ''  drudg'e  of  all  servants"  is  of  a  different  variety 
of  the  same  species  as  the  horse,  his  foot  also  [partakes  of 
the  difference.  Upon  examining-  it,  we  find  that  in  front 
the  mule's  foot  is  round  and  full.  From  the  quarters  to 
the  heels,  however,  the  difference  in  its  shape  appears, 
instead  of  inclining-  at  an  ang-le  equal  with  the  face — as  is 
the  case  in  the  horse's  hoof  at  the  heels — it  is  nearly  per- 
pendicular. 

Care  must  be  taken  that  the  foot  does  not  grow  too  long* 
or  too  high  at  the  heels  or  toe,  as  the  outer  frog-  would 
thus  be  prevented  from  touching-  the  g-round.  The  tendency 
then  would  be  for  the  hoof  to  contract  on  its  g-round  sur- 
face. I  have  seen  the  walls  at  the  feet  come  tog-ether, 
from  coronet  to  ground  surface,  until  the  foot  was  hardl}^ 
more  than  half  its  natural  diameter.  The  heels  overlap- 
ping each  other,  had  crowded  the  bars  and  frog-  out  of 
sight,  raising  the  inner  spur  and  bars  as  high  as  the 
coronary  band.  As  the  crowding  of  the  bars  thus  necessi- 
tates a  displacement  of  tlie  internal  structure  of  the  coffin- 
bone  being  raised  behind,  the  weight  presses  it  forward 
against  the  laminae.  The  laminae  in  this  part  being-  over- 
tasked, soreness  and  finally  lameness  ensues. 

In  many  instances  the  mule  is  treated  for  lameness  or 
strains,  when  the  proper  remedy  was  to  have  had  his  feet 
properly  dressed  and  suitably  shod.  Bo  not  permit  the 
heels  to  g-row  to  an  extreme  height;  pare  them  down  as 
much  as  can  be  safely  done,  and  reset  the  shoes  every  three 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  127 

or  four  weeks ;  leave  the  frog-  and  bars  untouched  and  the 
heels  unopened. 

In  shoeing-  the  mule  for  draughting-  purposes,  toe  and 
heel  calking  will  be  required.  In  such  cases,  have  them 
low,  and  of  the  same  height,  that  the  foot  may  be  kept  as 
near  to  the  ground  as  possible,  and  the  animal  will  travel 
with  more  ease  and  safet3\  Let  the  shoes  be  adjusted  in  a 
manner  so  as  to  fit  the  wall;  and  to  avoid  the  possibility  of 
cramping  the  foot,  use  small  nails,  with  the  nail  holes 
straight  punched. 


128  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


CHAPTER  yill. 

RECIPES. 


Scratches. 

A  disease  which  attacks  the  heels,  consisting  in  an 
inflammation,  swelling-,  and  consequent  chapping  discharge 
of  foetid  matter,  most  commonly  occasioned  either  by 
inflammation  of  the  foot,  want  of  exercise,  or  b^^  neglect 
in  cleaning  or  drying  the  heels  carefully.  In  cases  of  this 
kind,  exercise  is  essentially  necessar^^  to  be  assisted  by  a 
few  applications  of  my  hoof  ointment  and  careful  grooming. 
In  inveterate  cases,  where  the  disease  appears  to  have 
become  habitual,  the  eruption  is  known  as  grease,  and 
there  will  be  more  difficulty  in  its  removal,  though  the  same 
treatment,  generous  dieting,  good  grooming,  and  regular 
exercise  will  tend  to  recover  it. 

For  sores  like  the  preceding  kind,  make  applications  of 
my  hoof  ointment.  When  the  frog  is  diseased,  saturate 
with  a  piece  of  white  cotton;  press  it  into  the  opening  in 
the  cleft  until  it  is  well  filled.  The  outer  surface  of  the 
affected  parts  may  be  then  given  a  slight  coating,  to 
protect  the  diseased  portion  from  foreign  particles  of  dirt. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  129 


Precautions  to  he    Observed  in  Buying  and  Trafficking 

in  Horses. 

In  buying  a  horse  the  greatest  precaution  is  necessary 
lest  the  purchaser  is  cheated.  Every  part  of  the  horse's 
body  is  liable  to  defects  and  derangements— it  behooves  us 
therefore  in  examining  a  horse  not  to  be  in  too  great  of  a 
hurr}^,  especially  if  Ave  have  to  deal  with  cunning  and  bold 
jockeys,  who  know  how  to  disguise  the  faults,  peculiarities 
and  age  of  a  horse,  and  how  to  manage  to  deceive  the 
purchaser  by  all  kinds  of  tricks,  the  effects  of  which  are 
very  useful  in  the  hands  of  a  designing  jockey.  In  pur- 
chasing, this  point  should  be  well  considered,  lest  w^e  should 
pay  for  an  apparent  value  which  will  sooner  or  later  dis- 
appear and  cause  us  to  regret  our  purchase,  hence  I  would 
advise  those  who  do  not  understand  this  business  to  take 
counsel  with  a  trusty  friend  instead  of  depending  upon 
their  own  judgment  in  such  dubious  matter. 

Finally,  we  have  to  mention  a  few^  tricks  which  are  fre- 
quently^ resorted  to  by  horse  dealers  to  faciliate  the  sale  of 
horses,  these  tricks  are  angleizing,  dressing,  peppering  and 
whipping  the  horse.  By  angleizing  a  common  horse,  he  is 
made  to  look  nobler.  Dressing  the  feet,  mane  and  inner 
ear  is  a  great  means  of  embellishing  the  horse,  for  he  seems 
to  acquire  a  more  imposing  posture,  the  neck  looks  more 
slender  and  graceful,  the  hearing  becomes  more  acute,  he 
is  more  attentive  to  everything  that  is  taking  place 
around,  and  the  pendulous  ear  looks  more  erect. 


ISO  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEINO. 


Balling, 

To  prevent  the  feet  of  horses  from  balling'  with  snow,  let 
the  frog  of  the  hoof  and  the  fetlock  be  cleaned  and  well 
rubbed  with  soft  soap  previous  to  going  out  in  snowy 
weather,  it  will  effectually  prevent  their  falling  from  what 
is  termed  balling.  Accidents  will  be  prevented  by  this 
simple  precaution. 

String  Halt. 

This  is  a  kind  of  lameness  peculiar  to  the  hind  quarters 
of  the  horse,  which  occasions  a  sudden  jerking  of  the  legs 
upwards,  when  it  seizes  the  outside  muscles  the  horse 
straddles  and  throws  his  legs  outwards,  when  the  inside 
muscles  are  affected  his  legs  are  twitched  up  to  his  belly, 
sometimes  only  one  leg  is  affected ;  the  cure  is  difficult  and 
rarel^^  accomplished,  rubbing  and  fomentations  are  rec- 
ommended with  daily  moderate  exercise,  by  which  the 
blood  and  spirits  may  be  equall3^  divided  into  the  disordered 
muscle  and  its  corresponding  one. 


Hide  Bound  Horses, 

A  horse  that  is  hide  bound  grows  lean,  has  a  feverish 
heat,  his  skin  sticks  to  his  ribs,  the  spine  becomes  harder 
than  usual,  small  boils  break  out  on  his  back  and  3'et  his 
appetite  sometimes  continues  good.  As  this  disorder  is 
seldom  an  original  complaint,  generally  arising  from  some 
former   cause,  regard    must  be   had   to  that  cause  in  the 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  131 

method  of  cure.  Bleed  about  ^  gallon  from  the  neck  vein, 
then  take  i  pint  of  linseed  oil,  i  pint  spirits  of  wine,  mix 
tog-ether  and  rub  them  strongly  against  the  hair,  in  the 
warm  sun  in  order  that  the  skin  may  be  relaxed  and  a 
sweat  break  out,  after  which  the  horse  should  be  well 
curried  and  put  in  a  warm  stable  with  plenty  of  litter,  then 
feed  the  condition  powder  once  a  day  for  ten  days  in  a  bran 
mash. 

Strain  of  the  Shoulder, 

Horses  that  are  weak  before  and  low^er  footed  with  an 
unstead}^  tread  are  most  liable  to  contract  this  disorder, 
which  consists  in  a  twist  or  sprain  of  the  strong  muscles 
that  attach  the  shoulder  to  the  body;  taking  up  the  foot 
and  bending  the  limb  will  further  prove  the  existence  of  a 
strain,  if  the  hoi'se  evince  pain,  Avhereas  if  it  lie  in  the  foot 
the  lame  leg  can  be  moved  as  supple  as  the  other,  tlie 
difficulty  of  ascertaining  the  real  seat  of  lameness  is  some- 
times so  great,  being  entirel^^  invisible,  as  to  cause  many 
expedients  to  find  the  exact  place,  for  this  purpose  hold  up 
his  head  high  and  after  comparing  and  finding  no  differ- 
ence in  the  shoulders,  let  go  the  head,  when  he  would  be 
observed  to  flinch  upon  bringing  it  towards  the  afiected 
side;  let  a  person  rattle  some  corn  in  a  seive  at  a  distance 
behind  him,  alternating  the  sides,  he  will  be  observed  to 
evince  pain  in  turning  his  neck  and  straining  the  affected 
side,  not  so  the  pain  in  the  foot ;  the  horse  will  step  short 
and  throw  out  his  leg  in  a  semi-circle  when  he  has  received 
a  prick  in  shoeing,  this  last  sign  is  not  to  be  taken  as  final 
indication  of  a  strain  in  shoulder,  the  foot  is  to  be  exam- 


132  ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING. 

ined    and  the  smith  ciuestioned   as   to  his  skill  and  care- 
f  idness  in  shoeing*. 

Cure,  if  the  injuiy  be  considerable,  as  when  a  horse  has 
been  thrown,  he  should  be  bled  at  once  in  the  plate  vein, 
a  laxative  ball  or  purgative  must  follow,  proportioned  to 
the  actual  state  of  his  body  at  the  time ;  I  would  advise  a 
liniment  for  the  same  to  be  used  once  a  day  for  ten  days,  of 
1  pint  of  alcohol,  |  pint  linseed  oil,  4  ozs.  arnica,  2  ozs. 
squills,  and  2  ozs.  spirits  of  hartshorn. 

To  Cure  Wind  Galls, 

On  the  first  appearance  of  wind  g-alls  the  cure  should 
be  attempted  by  restring-ents  and  bandag-e,  for  w^hich 
purpose  let  the  swelling  be  bathed  twice  a  day  with 
vinegar  or  a  decoction  of  oak  bark  and  alum,  if  this  method 
after  a  proper  trial  should  not  be  found  to  succeed,  some 
authors  have  advised  that  the  swelling  be  pierced  with  an 
awl,  or  opened  with  a  knife,  but  mild  blistering  is  in  gener- 
al preferred  to  these  methods,  a  little  of  the  blistering  oint- 
ment should  be  laid  on  ever^^  other  day  for  a  week,  which 
brings  on  a  plentiful  discharge,  but  generally  in  a  few 
days  dries  up,  when  the  horse  may  be  put  to  his  work. 
This  is  the  only  method  to  save  scars,  which  paring  leaves 
behind  and  unless  skillfully  executed  too  often  leaves  a  full-= 
ness  of  the  joint  with  stiffness. 

Wind -Broken  Horses. 

This  disorder  is  commonly  en  used  by  surfeiting,  violent 
exercise  when  the  stomach  is  full,  or  by  being  ridden  or 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  133 

driven  into  water  when  hot  and  sweaty,  or  from  an  obsti- 
nate cold  not  well  cured.  For  the  cure  of  this  disorder  I 
would  advise  that  the  horse  should  have  good  nourishment, 
plent}^  of  corn  and  little  hay,  and  that  every  da^^  the  water 
given  him  be  impregnated  with  half  an  ounce  of  saltpetre, 
and  two  drachms  of  sal-ammoniac.  The  hay  made  of  white 
clover  is  good  for  this  disorder. 


To  Save  Horses  from  Fire, 

Horses  are  frequently  burnt  to  death  when  barns  and 
stables  are  on  fire,  owing  to  the  impossibility  of  leading  or 
driving  them  out  of  the  building,  while  their  eyes  are 
dazzled  by  the  blaze,  I  assure  all  that  by  simply  covering 
their  eyes  with  a  bag,  coat,  or  pocket-handkerchief,  they 
may  be  led  out  of  danger  without  trouble  or  difficulty. 


Weak  Eyes  or  Hooks. 

First,  rowel  below  the  eyes  and  in  the  jaws,  then  if  the 
eyes  are  much  inflamed  bleed  two  gallons  from  the  neck 
vein,  and  use  the  ej^e  wash  or  eye  lotion  every  morning ; 
move  the  rowels  everyday,  and  let  them  remain  in  15  or  20 
days.  If  the  eye  shoAvs  a  white  speck  in  the  centre  there 
is  no  cure  for  it — the  nerve  of  the  eye  is  afl'ected,  but  as 
long  as  the  e^^e  runs  water  there  is  hopes  of  it,  or  the 
eyelids  swell.  All  young  horses  are  liable  to  have  weak 
eyes. 


134  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


Eye  Lotion — Hoiv  to  Make  It, 

Take  a  g-oocl  quality  of  linseed  oil,  1  pint,  add  to  it  2 
ounces  of  spirits  of  ether,  g-um  camphor  \  oz.  Let  it  stand 
in  some  warm  place  until  the  oil  cuts  the  gum,  and  it  is  fit 
for  use.  Apply  it  to  the  eye  every  morning-  with  a  feather ; 
get  it  into  the  eye  as  well  as  possible.  This  is  better  in  the 
winter  than  the  wash,  but  the  wash  is  best  for  summer. 


Eije  Wash. 

Take  sugar  of  lead  2  drachms,  white  vitrol  1  drachm, 
laudanum  1  dr.,  add  to  this  1  quart  of  soft  water;  let  it 
stand  for  6  or  8  hours  and  it  is  fit  for  use.  Wash  the  eye 
out  well  with  cold  water  ;  follow  this  up  for  3  or  4  weeks, 
and  then  if  the  ejxs  are .  not  much  better,  bleed  and  give 
mild  physic.  The  horse  should  be  kept  on  low  diet  and  not 
overheated  or  worked  too  hard.  Scalded  bran  and  oats  are 
good. 

Hoof  Bound,  or  Tender  Feet. 

Cause  of  this  is  fever  in  the  feet.  Founder  or  gravel,  the 
symptoms  are  hot  feet  and  a  drawing  in  one  inch  from  the 
top  of  the  feet  at  the  heels.  Never  have  the  feet  spread  at 
the  heels  nor  rasped  about  the  nail  holes,  for  it  will  do  the 
feet  an  injury.  Follow  the  directions  given  here.  Use 
either  the  hoof  ointment  or  the  hoof  liquid ;  apply  it  ac- 
cording to  the  directions.  For  hoof  bound  or  tender  feet, 
apply  it  all  around  the  top  of  the  hoof  down  one  inch  every 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEINa.  135 

third  day ;  if  for  split  hoof,  apply  it  ever^^  day.  First  have 
a  stiff  shoe  on  the  foot  and  cleanse  the  cut  or  crack.  N'ever 
cut  or  burn  for  it. 

Hoof  Ointment, 

Take  rosin  4  ozs.,  bees- wax  6  ozs.,  lard  2  lbs.,  melt  tog'eth- 
er;  pour  it  into  a  pot  and  add  3  ozs.  of  turpentine,  finely 
pulverized  verdigris,  enoug-h  to  color  the  mixture  g-reen,  1 
lb.  of  tallow,  stir  all  until  it  g-ets  cool.  This  is  one  of  the 
best  medicines  for  the  hoof  ever  used.  It  is  g^ood  for  calks 
or  bruises  of  the  feet.     Follow  directions. 

Hoof  Liquid, 

For  tender  feet,  hoof  bound,  etc.  Linseed  oil  or  neats- 
foot  oil,  ipint  of  either,  turpentine  4  ozs.,  oil  of  tar  6  ozs., 
orig'anum  13  ozs.,  shake  Avell  and  apply  it  as  the  directions 
for  the  ointment  tell.  This  is  the  best  if  the  horse  has  been 
lame  long — it  penetrates  the  hoof  sooner  than  the  ointment 
— both  of  them  should  be  applied  at  nig'ht,  so  that  the 
horse  can  go  to  work  in  the  morning.  He  need  not  lose 
one  day's  work. 

Lung  Fever, 

Symptoms — The  horse  is  taken  with  a  chill  and  then 
breaks  out  in  a  cold,  clammy  sweat,  holds  doAvn  his  head, 
never  offers  to  lay  down,  but  groans  when  made  to  move, 
ears  and  legs  deathly  cold.  The  cause  of  this  is  change 
from  warm  to  cold  stable,  and  too  much  cold  water  when 
warm. 


136  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

Cure — Bleed  4  g-allons  from  the  neck  vein,  and  take  1  oz. 
of  aconite,  add  to  it  |  g-allon  of  cold  water;  drench  him 
with  one  g-ill  of  it  every  three  hours,  blister  him  over  the 
lungs,  then  give  him  water  to  drink  that  hay  has  been 
boiled  in,  add  to  each  gallon  of  it  1  oz.  of  gum  arable,  and 
•J  oz.  of  spirits  of  nitre,  give  this  every  four  hours,  rub  well, 
foment  and  rub  the  legs  with  alcohol  and  camphor  until 
they  get  warm — do  not  move  him.  Keep  him  in  the  open 
stall  if  hot  weather. 

Cleansing  Powders, 

This  is  used  when  the  blood  is  out  of  order,  good  to  re- 
store lost  appetite,  yellow  water,  and  to  be  used  where  it  is 
spoken  of.  Take  1  lb.  of  good  ginger,  4  ozs.  of  powdered 
gentian,  1  oz.  of  nitre,  |  oz.  of  crude  antimony,  mix  it  well, 
give  one  large  spoonful  every  day  in  wet  food.  This  is  per- 
fectly safe. 

Hoof  Evil,  Thrush  or  Grease  Heels. 

Cause  of  this  disease  is  over  feed,  and  a  want  of  exercise, 
or  standing  in  a  filthy  stable.  Sj^mptoms — A  discharge  of 
offensive  matter  from  the  frog  of  the  foot  and  round  the 
top  of  the  foot ;  often  the  frog  of  the  foot  will  come  out, 
then  a  stiff  shoe  must  be  put  on  to  keep  the  foot  from  con- 
tracting. 

Cure — Bleed  and  physic,  poultice  the  foot  with  boiled 
turnips,  and  some  fine  ground  charcoal,  this  must  be  done 
every  night  for  two  or  three  nights,  then  wash  the  foot 
clean  with  castile  soap  and  soft  water,  and  apply  the  blue 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  137 

ointment  every  da}^     Keep  the  horse  on  a  clean  floor  and 
he  will  he  well  in  twelve  days. 

To  Make  the  Blue  Ointment. 

Take  the  ointment  of  rosin  4  ozs.,  |  oz.  finely  ground  ver- 
digTis,  2  ozs.  turpentine,  2  Ihs.  mutton  tallow,  |  oz.  oil  orig-- 
anum,  |  02.  tr.  of  iodine,  mix  well.  This  is  one  of  the 
hest  medicines  that  can  be  made,  for  scratches,  hoof-evil  or 
cuts,  and  is  good  to  apply  on  fistula  after  the  rowels  are 
taken  out. 

To  Make  the  White  Ointment. 

For  rheumatism,  sprains,  burns,  swellings,  bruises,  or  any 
inflammation  on  Man  or  Beast,  chapped  hands,  lips,  black 
eyes  or  any  bruise.  Take  fresh  butter  2  lbs,,  tr.  of  iodine 
•J  oz.,  oil  origanum  2  ozs.,  mix  well  for  fifteen  minutes  and  it 
is  fit  to  use.  Apply  at  night,  rub  it  Avell  with  your  hand — if 
for  human  flesh  lay  on  warm  flannel. 

Nasal  Gleet  or  Discharge  from  the  Eye  and  Nose. 

The  cause  of  this  is  neglect  in  distemper,  or  overheat  or 
cold.  This  is  a  white  discharge  and  is  not  contagious,  and 
can  be  cured. 

Cure — Stop  working  him ;  take  of  alum  -J  lb.,  -J  lb. 
of  rosin,  |  lb.  blue  vitriol,  grind  and  mix  well  with 
J  lb.  of  ginger;  give  one  large  spoonful  every  night  and 
morning;  bleed  one  gallon.  Keep  him  out  of  the  wet  and 
not  work  him. 


138  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 


Disease  of  the  Kidneys, 

Caused  by  feeding-  dirt  or  musty  grain,  hard  drawing-, 
overloading,  or  too  much  turpentine. 

Cure — Blister  over  the  kidneys,  and  give  the  following 
pills  every  day :  Take  1  oz.  rosin,  1  oz.  juniper  berries 
ground  fine,  2  ozs.  flour,  make  into  a  stiff  paste,  divide  into 
7  pills,  give  one  every  night,  use  the  cleansing-  powder 
every  day  ;  if  the  horse  has  trouble  to  g-et  up  when  down, 
swing  him  up  for  two  weeks  and  give  no  food  but  that 
which  is  clean — this  is  half  the  cure.  Do  not  work  or  ride 
him. 

Black  Liniment. 

This  is  g'ood  to  applj^  on  poll  evil— fistula.  Take  of  lin- 
seed oil  I  pint,  tr.  of  iodine  3  ozs.,  turpentine  4  ozs.,  oil  of 
origanum  1  oz.,  shake  well  and  apply  it  every  day,  rub  in 
with  the  hand,  wash  the  part  clean  before  applying-  it. 
This  is  good  on  any  swelling^. 

Sore  Mouth  or-  Tongue— Called  Canker  or  Thrush, 

Symptoms— The  mouth  runs  water;  the  horse  throws  his 
hay  out  of  his  mouth.  The  cause  of  this  is  often  from 
fi-osty  bits  being-  put  into  his  mouth  or  by  eating  poisonous 
herbs. 

Cure— Take  of  borax  3  drachms,  2  dr.  of  sugar  of  lead,  i 
oz.  alum,  1  pint  vineg-a-r,  1  pint  of  sag-e  tea,  shake  tog-ether 
and  wash  tlie  mouth  out  eveiy  morning.  Give  no  hay  for 
twelve  days. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  139 


Hoiv  to  Remove  Warts, 

Cut  them  out  by  the  roots— Take  the  Tenaculum  or  hook, 
run  it  throug-h  the  wart  and  draw  and  cut  round  it,  and 
draw  it  out ;  if  it  should  bleed  too  much,  take  5  g-rains  of 
nitre  of  silver  and  1  oz.  of  water,  wet  a  sponge  and  merely 
touch  the  part  with  this  wash,  and  it  will  stop  the  blood, 
treat  as  a  fresh  wound,  every  time  you  wash  it  scratch  the 
scab  off  so  the  scar  will  be  small.  This  is  the  only  sure 
way  to  treat  them. 

Bots, 

Symptoms— Very  much  like  those  of  colic— the  ears  and 
legs  are  hot,  and  sometimes  the  sweat  will  start  in  the  flank 
and  breast. 

Cure— Make  i  gallon  of  sage  tea,  add  to  it  1  oz. 
of  alum,  drench  with  one-half  of  it,  and  if  he  is  not 
better  in  thirty  or  forty  minutes,  give  the  balance,  and 
bleed  1  gallon.  In  six  hours  give  a  mild  physic;  this 
will  never  fail  if  given  in  time.  Never  give  turpentine,  as 
many  do,  it  will  affect  the  kidneys. 

Colic. 

Symptoms— The  horse  lays  down  and  gets  up  often,  and 
looks  around  at  his  flank  ;  his  ears  and  legs  are  cold.  Cause 
of  this  is  cold  water  and  change  of  food,  over  quantity  of 
acid  collecting  in  the  stomach. 

Cure — Take  laudanum  h  oz.,  sulphuric  ether  1  oz.,  -| 
pint  of  water,  milk  warm,  drench,  and   if    not  better  in 


140  AtlTISTiC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

forty  or  fifty  minutes,  bleed  and  repeat  tlie  drench.    Do 
not  allow  the  horse  to  be  moved  while  sick. 

Founder  in  the  Fif^st  Stages, 

Symptoms — The  horse  is  stiff,  his  feet  hot,  and  often 
trembles,  very  thirsty. 

Cure — Bleed  from  the  neck  vein  3  or  4  gallons,  or  until 
he  falls,  then  give  the  f ollowing- : , |^  oz.  of  aloes,  4  drachms 
g-amboge,  |  oz.  of  oil  of  sassafras  ;  make  this  into  a  pill, 
give  it,  and  give  him  all  the  sassafras  tea  he  will  drink  ; 
turn  up  his  feet  and  fill  them  full  of  boiling  hot  lard,  bathe 
his  legs  in  hot  water  and  rub  them  w^ell^  This  will  never 
fail  to  cure  in  fortj^-eight  hours. 

Sick  Stomach — Debility, 

Symptoms — The  horse  refuses  to  eat,  thirsty,  hangs  his 
head,  reels  when  he  walks,  e^^es  are  dull. 

Cure — Bleed  -|  gallon,  then  if  he  will  eat  a  mash,  give 
him  one ;  give  no  hay  ;  then  give  him  ^  oz.  rhubarb  every 
night  until  his  bowels  move,  then  take  of  gentian  root  4  ozs., 
fenugreek  2  ozs.,  nitre  i  oz.;  mix  and  give  a  large  tea- 
spoonful  every  day ;  do  not  give  too  much  to  eat  when  liis 
appetite  returns 

Distemper. 

Symptoms — Swelling  under  the  jaws ;  can't  swallow. 

Cure — Bleed  3  gallons  and  physic;  then  if  a  tumor  is 
found  under  the  jaws,  open  it — if  not  appl^^  the  general  lini- 
ment to  the  swelling,  or  the  white  ointment — make  it  break 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  1J:1 

on  the  outside  if  possible,  then  give  the  cleansing  powder 
for  ten  or  twelve  days  in  mashes.  Turn  him  out  if  you  can 
g-et  pasture. 

General  Liniment, 

Turpentine  -|-  pint,  linseed  oil  ^  pint,  aqua  ammonia  4 
ozs.,  tincture  of  iodine  1  oz.;  shake  it  all  well.  This  is  used 
for  different  things  spoken  of  in  the  different  recipes,  sores, 
swellings  or  sprains. 

Broken  Knees. 

This  is  caused  hj  the  horse  falling  on  the  knees.  First 
cleanse  the  part  of  all  gravel  and  dirt,  then  wash  them. 
Take  2  gills  alcohol,  ^  oz.  of  arnica,  tie  the  knees  up  in 
coarse  linen,  and  if  they  swell  in  twentj^-four  hours,  bleed 
and  keep  the  bowels  open  Avith  mashes,  and  then  apply 
the  blue  or  iodine  ointment  every  other  day.  Do  not  use 
the  horse  until  he  is  perfectly  well,  or  it  may  cause  the 
knees  to  break  out  again. 

Worms. 

.  Symptoms — The  horse  eats,  but  will  not  thrive ;  his  belly 
gets  big,  his  hair  stays. 

Cure — Give  1  quart  of  strong  tea  made  of  wormwood, 
at  night ;  the  next  da^^  give  7  drachms  of  aloes,  2  drachms 
of  calomel,  make  it  into  a  ball  and  give  it;  give  no  cold 
water  for  fortj^-eight  hours,  make  it  milk  warm ;  give  him 
two  or  three  bran  mashes,  and  some  of  the  cleansing  pow- 


142  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

der;  if  he  shows  any  more  symptoms,  repeat  the  dose  in 
three  weeks.    This  will  never  fail. 

Physic  Ball, 

One-half  ounce  of  aloes,  3  drachms  of  g-amboge,  20  drops 
of  the  oil  of  Juniper,  make  it  into  a  pill  with  a  few  drops  of 
molasses;  wrap  it  up  carefull}^  in  a  thin  piece  of  g-reased 
tissue  paper ;  draw  out  the  tong-ue  with  the  left  hand,  place 
the  g-ag  in  the  mouth,  and  run  the  pill  back  with  the  right 
hand  until  it  drops  off ;  let  the  head  down  and  give  a  sup  of 
water.  First  prepare  the  horse  by  giving"  one  or  two 
mashes. 

Iodine  Ointment, 

Get  1  oz.  of  the  grease  iodine,  1  pint  of  alcohol,  let 
this  stand  in  the  sun  two  days,  and  this  is  the  tincture  of 
iodine.  Take  3  ozs.  of  tincture  and  ^  lb.  of  lard;  mix 
them  well,  and  you  have  the  iodine  ointment.  This  is  used 
wherever  the  recipes  refer  to  the  ointment. 

Big  or  Milk  Leg, 

This  is  brought  on  by  a  hurt,  a  want  of  action  in  the  ab- 
sorbent system — it  is  dropsy  of  the  muscles  of  the  leg*. 

Cure — Apply  the  liquid  blister  every  three  hours  until  it 
blisters ;  then  in  six  hours  grease  with  soft  oil  of  any  kind  ; 
then  in  eight  days  wash  the  part  clean  and  apply  it  again — 
repeat  it  three  or  four  times,  then  use  the  iodine  ointment. 
If  this  does  not  reniove  it  all  apply  the  spavin  medicine. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  143 


Liquid  Blister, 

Take  of  alcohol  1  pint,  turpentine  -J  pint,  aqua  ammonia 
4  ozs.,  oil  of  origanum  1  oz.,  apply  this  as  spoken  of 
ever^^  three  hours  until  it  blisters.  Do  not  repeat  oftener 
than  once  in  eight  days,  or  seven  at  least,  or  it  will  kill  the 
hairo 

Hoio  to  Tame  a  Wild  Horse, 

Halter  him,  and  then  take  the  warts  from  the  leg",  dry 
and  powder,  then  blow  it  up  his  nose  ;  then  take  oil  of  aro- 
dium,  drop  a  few  drops  on  your  hand  and  rub  it  over  his 
nose — this  will  make  him  follow  you  and  you  can  do  any- 
thing- you  wish. 

Hoiv  to  3Iake  a  Horse  Stand  to  he  Castigated, 

Put  chloroform  on  a  sponge  and  hold  it  to  his  nose  a  few 
seconds  until  he  closes  his  eyes ;  remove  it  and  halter  him. 
This  can  be  given  to  perform  any  operation.  You  can  buy 
it  at  the  drug  store  for  sevent^^-five  cents  per  pound. 

Spavin  and  Ring-hone  Medicine, 

Take  of  cantharides  2  ozs.,  mercurial  ointment  4  ozs., 
tincture  of  iodine  3  ozs.,  turpentine  4  ozs.,  corrosive 
sublimate  3  drachms  ;  mix  all  well  with  2  pounds  of  lard, 
color  it  if  you  like.     Follow  the  directions  here  given. 

If  for  ring-bone  or  bone-spavin,  cut  off  the  hair  from  the 
part  affected,  and  merely  grease  the  lump  with  the  oint- 
ment.    Rub  it  in  well  with  the  naked  hand.     In  two  days 


U4  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

grease  the  part  with  lard,  and  in  four  days  wash  it  off  with 
soap  and  water,  and  appl}^  the  ointment  again.  So  repeat 
it  ever^^  four  days.  If  for  wind-galls  or  bog'-spavin  or  curb, 
apply  the  ointment  every  six  days, 

Johnston^ s  Liniment. 

Take  oil  of  origanum  1  oz.,  alcohol  i  pint,  oil  of  cedar 
•J  oz.,  oil  of  cloves  -J  oz.,  turpentine  |^  oz.,  olive  oil  8  ozs., 
shake  well.  This  is  used  for  most  all  complaints  of  the 
muscles. 

Opedeldoc, 

Take  alcohol  ^  gallon,  2  pounds  of  castile  soap,  4  ozs. 
of  g-um  camphor,  2  ozs.  oil  of  amber,  place  the  alcohol  into 
a  pot  in  hot  water,  shave  up  the  soap  and  keep  it  hot 
until  all  dissolves,  and  you  have  the  original  opedeldoc* 

Fresh  Wounds, 

First,  stop  the  blood  by  tying  the  arteries,  or  by  apply- 
ing the  following  wash :  Four  grains  of  nitre  of  silver, 
1  oz.  of  soft  water ;  wet  the  wound  with  this  and  then 
draw  the  edges  together  by  stitches  one  inch  apart,  then 
wash  clean,  and  if  any  swelling  in  twenty-four  hours,  bleed 
and  apply  the  blue  ointment,  or  anv  ^f  the  ointments 
spoken  of.     Keep  the  bowels  open. 

Green  Ointment, 

Take  6  pounds  lard,  put  into  a  10-gallon  kettle,  add  2 
gallons  of  water,  cut  jimpson  weeds  and  fill  them  in  and 


ARTISTIC   HORSE-SHOEING.  145 

cook  four  to  six  hours,  slow,  until  the  water  boils  off,  then 
put  it  into  jars,  add  to  each  pound  of  ointment  1  oz.  of 
turpentine.  This  is  a  good  and  cheap  stable  ointment,  for 
scratches,  galls,  etc. 

Lampers, 

All  young  horses  are  liable  to  this  trouble — it  is  nothing 
but  inflammation  of  the  gums. 

Cure — Bleed  or  scarify  the  gums ;  never  burn  off  for  it 
spoils  the  teeth  and  adds  to  the  cause  of  the  disease.  Give 
a  bran  mash ;  rub  the  gums  with  salt.  Give  the  cleansing 
powders. 

To  Make  Old  Horses  Young,  or  Get  Up  and  Hoicl. 

Take  the  tincture  of  asafoetida  1  oz.,  tincture  of  cantha- 
rides  1  oz.,  oil  of  anise  1  oz..  oil  of  cloves  1  oz.,  oil  of  cinna- 
mon 1  oz.,  antimony  2  ozs.,  fenugreek  1  oz.,  4tli  proof  brandy 
i  gallon;  let  it  stand  ten  or  twelve  days,  and  give  ten 
drops  in  a  pail  of  water,  or  to  a  gallon. 

To  Make  Ointment  Like  Sloan^s. 

Take  mutton  tallow  4  lbs.,  bees-wax  Jib.,  turpentines 
ozs.,  melt  over  a  slow  fire  and  when  partl}^  cold  add  the 
turpentine  and  you  have  the  same  ointment  Sloan  sells  for 
everything.     Try  it  and  prove  its  value. 

Butten  Farcen. 

Cause — Overheat,  high  feeding,  and  no  exercise.  Symp- 
toms, the  limbs  swell  up  and  break  out  in  running  sores. 


146  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

Cure — In  the  first  stages  bleed  and  physic,  then  tal^e  of 
gentian  2  oz.,  g-ing-er  3  oz.,  mal^e  a  stiff  paste  and  divide 
into  twelve  parts,  add  to  each  separately  10  grains  of  arse- 
nic, make  into  pills,  give  one  morning  and  evening,  until  it 
makes  his  mouth  sore,  then  wash  the  sores  clean,  and  apply 
the  blue  ointment  to  them.  If  not  better  in  three  weeks 
bleed  and  repeat  the  pills.  Apply  the  different  liniments  to 
the  legs  if  they  swell.  Be  careful  not  to  get  the  matter  on 
a  wound,  for  it  tvill  kill  you  ! 

Water  Farcy. 

This  is  a  swelling  along  under  the  chest  and  forward  to 
the  breast.  Bleed  and  rowel  in  the  breast  and  all  along 
the  swelling,  six  inches  apart ;  appl}^  the  general  liniment 
to  the  swelling,  move  the  rowels  every  day,  let  them  stay 
in  until  the  swelling  goes  down.  Give  soft  food,  mashes, 
with  the  cleansing  powders  in  it.  This  is  dropsy,  and  there 
are  many  causes  for  it. 

Diabetes. 

Too  free  discharge  of  urine,  or  cannot  hold  his  water. 

Cure— Give  i  oz.  tincture  of  cantharides  every  ten  or 
twelve  days,  and  if  not  entirely  well  repeat  it,  and  bleed  1 
gallon  from  the  .neck;  feed  clean  food.  The  cause  is  rotten 
or  must}^  grain,  or  too  free  use  of  turpentine.  Keep  him 
open  Avith  mashes  and  green  food. 

Contraction  of  the  Tendons  in  Neck. 
S^^mptoms — Often  the  head  is  drawn  to  one  side  ;  again, 
the  horse  cannot  get  his  head  to  the  ground.     Cause  of  this 
\s  spraining  the  horse,  and  rheumatism  contracts. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  IttT 

Cure — If  it  is  taken  in  the  first  stag-es,  bleed  from  the 
neclv  2  gallons,  then  foment  or  bathe  the  part  well  with  hot 
Avater  ;  rub  it  dry,  and  take  the  g-eneral  liniment  and  apply 
two  or  three  times  a  day,  which  will  cure  it.  If  it  is  of  long 
standing  blister  along  the  part  affected,  with  liquid  blister  ; 
do  this  every  three  Aveeks  until  he  is  well,  and  rub  with 
white  ointment. 

For  Rheumatism, 

Take  alcohol  ^  pint,  oil  of  origanum  \  oz.,  cayenne  J  oz., 
or  gum  myrrh  ^  oz.,  1  teaspoonful  of  lobelia,  and  let  all 
stand  over-night,  then  bathe  the  part  affected.  This  is  the 
best  medicine  I  ever  used. 

Heaves, 

Take  4  ozs.  balsam  fir,  4  ozs.  balsam  copaiva,  -|  oz. 
asafoetida,  4  ozs.  vinegar,  3  ozs.  alcohol.  One  teaspoonful 
every  da3\  Tartar  emetic,  as  much  as  will  lay  on  a  ten 
c<^nt  piece,  every  three  days. 

Dope  to  Trade  on. 

Four  ozs.  black  antimony,  2  ozs.  cantharides.  A  small 
spoonful  twice  a  day  will  fat  a  horse  in  ten  days. 

Condition  Poivders, 

One  pound  fenugreek  seed,  I  lb.  anise  seed,  -|  lb.  cream 
tartar,  i  squills,  2  ozs.  antimony.  One  tablespoonful  twice 
a  day  in  a  bran  mash. 


148  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

Gargling  Oil, 

One  quart  linseed  oil,  1  pint  barbadoes  tar,  1  pint  turpen- 
tine, 4  ozs.  oil  of  vitriol.  I 

To  Spot  a  White  Hoi^se  Black. 

Three  ozs.  litherage,  6  ozs.  quick  lime ;  beat  it  fine  and 
mix  tog-ether,  put  into  a  pan  and  pour  a  sharp  lye  over  it, 
then  boil  it  and  3^ou  will  have  a  fat  substance  swim  on  the 
top  with  which  rub  on  the  horse  in  such  places  as  you  desire 
to  have  black. 

To  Make  a  White  Star, 

Take  a  knife  and  shave  the  hair  off.  Put  oil  of  vitriol  on 
the  spot  you  design  white,  with  a  feather. 

Stoppage  of  the  Urine, 

Symptoms — Frequent  attempt  to  urinate,  looking  around 
at  his  sides,  lying  down,  rolling  and  stretching. 

Cure — Take  ^  lb.  alum,  3  drachms  oil  of  camphor,  grind 
and  mix.  Make  this  in  three  pills.  Give  one  every  day 
with  a  drench  made  of  a  small  spoonful  of  saltpetre,  and  2 
ozs.  water. 

Lock-Jaiv, 

Bleed  largely  and  apply  chloroform  to  the  nose  until  the 
jaws  fly  open.  Put  a  gag  in  the  mouth,  and  2  ozs.  tincture 
asafoetida  every  six  hours,  and  a  dose  of  physic.  This  will 
cure  if  there  is  any  cure. 


ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING.  149 

To  Stop  Blood. 

If  you  can  g-et  hold  of  the  artery  tie  it  up,  if  not  use  the 
following' :  10  grains  nitrate  of  silver,  and  4  ozs.  of  Avater. 
Apply  it  to  the  wound  and  it  will  stop  bleeding  immediate- 
ly.    Apply  this  to  warts  after  cutting  them  off. 

For  Killing  Lice, 

Take  J  pound  of  sulphur,  1  oz.  spirits  turpentine,  mix 
well  with  3  lbs.  of  lard.  Do  not  let  the  animal  get  wet. 
Give  a  few  doses  of  condition  powders. 

Loss  of  Appetite. 

Bleed  half  a  g-allon.  Give  a  few  doses  of  condition 
powders.  If  he  lacks  life,  tie  a  small  piece  of  asafoetida  on 
his  bit. 

Big  Head, 

Four  ozs.  Venice  turpentine,  2  ozs.  Spanish  flies,  2  ozs. 
oil  origanum,  2  ozs.  spirits  hartshorn,  2  drs.  corrosive 
sublimate. 

Thumps, 

Symptoms — The  horse  is  almost  exhausted,  breathing 
is  very  hard.  The  difference  between  thumps  and  lung 
fever  is  distress  of  the  heart,  which  you  may  hear  at  a 
distance  of  twenty  feet. 

Cure — Bleed  largely  and  it  will  stop  suddenly.    Dissolve 


150  ARTISTIC  HORSE-SHOEING. 

1  dr.  of  nitre  and  a  large  spoonful  of  salt  in  ^  pint  water, 
drench  every  six  hours  for  three  times.  Do  not  work  the 
horse  for  a  week. 

To  Cure  Knee-Sprung  Horses,  or  for  Cord  Soreness  or 
Enlargement  of  the  Joints,  or   Knuckling. 

Take  2  ozs.  extract  of  Goullard's  lead,  1  quart  good  cider 
vinegar.  Let  stand  three  or  four  hours  and  bathe  cords  or 
parts  affected  e^^ary  night  and  morning.  Use  a  bandage 
if  convenient ;  will  remove  all  fever  or  inflammation. 


INDEX 


A  PAGE 

Anatomy  of  the  Foot 13 

Angle  of  the  Foot. .  .27,  39,  86,    87 
Appetite,  Loss  of 149 

B 

Balling 130 

Bar  Shoe 41 

Bhster 143 

Blood,  To  Stop 149 

Bone,  Cannon 27 

Bone,  Coffin 25,    27 

Bones,  Coronary 27 

Bones,  Sesamoid 27 

Bones  of  the  Foot 25 

Bots "...  139 

Bridle  (Handling) 81,    82 

C 

Cannon  Bone 27 

Castration 122 

Chnching  Tool 81 

Coffin  Bone 25 

Coffin  Bone,  Diseased 89,    90 

Cold  vs.  Hot  Fitting 94 

Colic 139 

Coifs  Shoe 64,    65 

Contraction,  Bad  Case  of 101 

Contraction  of  Neck  Tendons.  146 

Corns 123 

Coronary  Bones , 27 

D 

Diabetes 146 

Distemper 140 

E 

Eye,  Discharge  from 137 

Eye  Lotion 134 

Eye  Wash 134 

Eyes,  (Weak) 133 


F  PAGu 

Farcy 106,  146 

Feet,  Tender  134 

Fever  (Lung) 135 

Fitting  the  Shoe 38 

Fire,  To  save  Horses  from. . , .  133 

Foot,  Anatomy  of 13 

Foot,  Bones  of 25 

Foot,  Deformed 97,    98 

Foot  (Perfect),  front  view  of . .     91 
Foot  with  section  of  wall  re- 
moved  98,    99 

Forging 35 

Founder 140 

Frog  Band 17 

Frog,  Horny 16 

Frog  must  not  be  cut 40 

Frog,   Sensitive 16 

G 

Gargling  Oil 148 

Glanders 103 

Glanders  in  man 112 

Grease 108,  109 

H 

Half  Bar  Shoe 45 

Handling  Bridle  81,  82 

Head  (Big) 149 

Heaves 147 

Hide-bound  Horses 130 

Hip,  Knocking  down  of 119 

Hoof-bound  Feet 134 

Hoofs,  Dark   23 

Hoof  Evil 136 

Hoof,  How  it  grows 29 

Hoof  Liquid 135 

Hoof,    Obliquity  of 21 

Hoof  Ointment 135 

Hoof,  Wear  of 31 


152 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Horn,  Different  kinds  of 15 

Horny  Sole 15 

Horny  Frog 15 

Horses,  How  to  Buy 129 

Horses,  Hide-bound 130 

Horses  in  a  state  of  nature 10 

Horse,  Names  of  different  parts 

of  body  of 83 

Horses  (old),  To  make  young. .  145 

Horses,  To  fat  quick 147 

Horses,   To  Spot  Black 148 

Horses,  To  Castrate 143 

Horse  (Wild),  To  tame 143 

Horseshoeing,  Ancient 9 

I 
Interfering,      Shoe     to     Pre- 
vent        49,  50 

Introduction 5 

K 

Kidney,  Disease  of 138 

Knees  Broken 117,  141 

Knee-knocking  Shoe 52 

Knee  Sprung  Horses,  To  Cure  150 

Knee  Sprung  Horses,  To  Shoe  37 

Knuckling,  To  Cure 150 

L 
Lameness    Cured  by    Proper 

Shoeing 13 

Laminae 27 

Lampers 145 

Leg,  Dissected 27 

Leveling  Plate 35 

Lice,  To  Kill 149 

Liniment,  Black 138 

Liniment,  General 141 

Liniment,  Johnston's 144 

Lockjaw 148 

Lockjaw,  How  caused 93,  94 

Lung  Fever .- 135 

M 

Milk  Leg 142 

Mouth,  Sore 138 

Mules 126 

N 

Nerving 122 

Nails,  How  to  drive 93 


PAGE 

Nails,    Results  of  using  poor 
ones 87,    88 

O 

Ointment,  Blue 137 

Ointment,  Green 144 

Ointment,  Iodine 142 

Ointment,  Sloan's 145 

Ointment,  Wliite 13: 

P 

Paddling    and  Knocking,   To 

Prevent 68,    69 

Pasterns 25,    27 

Periople        17 

Physic   Ball 142 

Plate  for  Leveling 35 

Plate  for  Running  Horses.. 79,    80 

Powders,  Condition 147 

Powders  for  Cleansing 136 

Q 

Quarter  Crack,  To  Shoe  for. . .     45 
Quittor 120 

R 

Ring-bone,  To  Shoe  for 55 

Rheumatism 147 

Ruptures 123 

S 

Scratches,  To  Cure 128 

Sensitive  Frog 16 

Sesamoid  Bones 27 

Shell,  Very  Tliin 92 

Shoes,  Ancient  Arabian 10 

Shoe  (Bar) 45 

Shoe,  Concave 59,  60 

Shoe  for  Colts 64,  65 

Shoe  for  Flat  Feet 58 

Shoe  for  Knee-knocking 52 

Shoe  for  Stifle 62 

Shoe  for  Tender  Feet 55,  56 

Shoe  for  Trotters 63,  64 

Shoe,  Half  Bar 45 

Shoeing  a  Knee  Sprung  Horse  37 

Shoeing  to  correct  faulty  action  35 

Slioeing  to  cure  Lameness 35 

Shoes,  Modern  Arabian 10 

Shoes,  Modern  Moorish U 


INDEX. 


153 


PAGE 

Shoes,  Modern  Persian 11 

Shoes,  Modern  Portuguese. ...  11 

Shoes,  Old  Enghsh 13 

Shoes  of  Raw  Hide 9 

Shoe,  Plain  Hind 78 

Shoe,  (Side  Weight) 51 

Shoe,    Side    Weight  and  Bar 

combined 53,  54 

Shoe  (Toe  Weight) 46 

Shoe  to  make  a   horse  travel 

square 60 

Shoe  to  prevent  interfering...  49 
Shoe  to  prevent  paddling  and 

knocking 68,  69 

Shoe  with  double  half  bar.  .72,  73 

Shoe  with  Extension  Calk.  .56,  57 

Shoe  with  four  Calks 54 

Shoe  with  Half  Bar  and  Side 

Weight  combined-. 77,  78 

Shoe  with  plate  attached.  ..61,  62 

Shoe  with  Rolling  Motion.  .71,  75 

lihoe  with  three  Calks 66 

Shoe  with  thiee  Calks 76,  77 

Side  Weight    and    Bar  Shoe 

combined 53,  54 

Side  Weight  Shoe 51 

Side  Weights  and  Toe  Weights 

combined 74 

Sole,  Horny 15 

Spavins,  Proper  Shoe  for 55 

Spavin  Remedy 143 

StifleShoe 62,  63 


PAGE 

Stomach,  Sick 140 

Strains 112 

Strain  of  Shoulder 113,  131 

Strain  of  the  Stifle 114 

Strain  of  the  Whirl-bone 114 

String  Halt 130 

T 

Tender  Feet,  Shoe  for 55,  56 

Thrush 138 

Thumps 149 

Toe  Crack 96 

Toe  Tips 43 

Toe- Weight  Shoe 46 

Toe  Weight  and  Side  Weight 

combined 67 

Toe-AVeight  Shoe  with   Roll- 
ing Motion 70,  71 

Tool  for  Clinching 81 

Trotting  Plate 63,  64 

U 
Urine,  Stoppage  of l-iS 

W 

Wall  of  the  Foot 14 

AVarts,  To  Remove 139 

Wind -broken  Horses 132 

Wind  Oalls,  To  Cure 132 

Worms 141 

Wounds,  Fresh 144 


VOLUJVIK     III 


//  has  been  our  aim  in  compiling  Volume  3  of 
PRACTICAL  BLACKSMITHING  to  make  it 
even  m^ore  interestifig  and  instructive  than  the  two 
previous  volumes.  We  have  given  in  detail,  directions* 
acoompanicd  by  many  illustrations ,  as  to  how  to  make 
the  tools  most  useful  to  blacksmiths. 

Chapter  i — Treats  of  Blacksmiths'  Tools  ;  the  preservation 
of  sane  ;  Bench  Tools  ;  Tongs  ;  Tools  for  Farm  Work  ;  Tools 
for  holding  Plow  Bolts  ;   Tools  for  holding  Plow  Shares,  etc. 

Chapter  2 — Gives  various  illustrations  of  Wrenches,  and 
descriptions  for  their  use. 

Chapter  3 — Gives  illustrations  and  descriptions  for  Welding, 
Brazing,  and  Soldering. 

Chapter  4 — Describes  the  various  uses  of  Steel  ;  Temper- 
ing, Hardening,  Testing,  etc. 

Chapter  5 — Illustrates  and  describes  Hand  Forgings. 

Chapter  6 — Illustrates  and  describes  the  making  of  Chain 
Swivels. 

Chapter  7 — Treats  on  various  points  on  Plow  Work,  with 
illustrations. 

The  price  of  this  volume,  bound  uniform  with  Volumes  I.  and 

II.  is  $1.00,  and  a  copy  will  be  sent  to  any  address  on  receipt  of 
price.     In  ordering  be  particular  to  specify  that  you  want  VOL. 

III.  OF   PRACTICAL   BLACKSMITHING. 

M.  T.  RICHARDSON  CO.,  Publishers, 

P,  O,  BoQC  2348,  New  York. 


VOLUME    IV. 

PRACTICAL  BLACKSMITHING. 

This  volume  completes  the  Series  of  Four  Vol- 
umes. Like  its  companion  volumes,  it  is  hand- 
soinely  printed  ivith  clear,  larije  type  on  good 
paper  and  contains  over  200  illustrations* 

Chapter  T.— Ls  devoted  to  Miscellaneous  Carriage 
Irons,  Hammer  Signals,  etc. 

Chapter  II.— Tells  about  Tires,  Cutting,  Welding, 
Bending  ami  Setting.  How  to  make  a  Tire  Heating  Fur- 
nace. 

Chapter  III.— Treats  of  Setting  Axles,  Axle  Gauges 
and  Thimble  .sk  ins. 

Chapter  IV.— Tells  about  Springs.  How  to  make 
and  reset.     Different  ways  of  Welding". 

Chapter  V. — Describes  Bob  Sleds. 

Chapter  VI. — Treats  on  Tempering  Tools,  including 
Mill  Picks,  Drills,  Taps,  Dies,  Knife  Blades,  Chisels, 
Axes,  Ham  ners,  etc. 

Chapter  VII.— Gives  proportions  of  Bolts  and  Nuts, 
f  rms  of  Heads,  etc. 

Chapter  VIII.— Treats  of  Working  S  eel.  Welding, 
an  I  Case  Hardening. 

Chapter  IX. — Gives  Tables  of  Iron  and  Steel,  includ- 
ing- size  of  iron,  and  different  forms  used  by  Carriage, 
>Vago  I  a  lid  Sli'igh  Makers. 


It  IS  bouad  in  extra  cloth,  with  ink  side  stamp  and  gold  back,  and 
will  be  sent  postpaid  to  ^x\y  part  of  the  country,  on  receipt  of  ONE 
DOLLAR.  In  ordering-  be  paiticular  to  state  that  you  want  Vol- 
ume IV.  ot  Practical  Blacksmithing.     Address, 

m.  T.  f^ICHfl^t)SO^^  CO.,  Publlshetrs, 

JP.  O.  Bo3C  2348, 

NEiA^   YORK. 


How  to  Tell  the  Age  of  a 

s:oi?,s:b. 

A  POCKET  MANUAL  OF  GREAT  VALUE. 

Written  by  PROF.  HEARD,  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Colleg-e  of  Veterinary  Snrg-eons,  London,  and  one  of  the 
Professors  of  the  New  York  Colleg-e  of  Veterinary  Surg-eons. 

The  importance  of  knowing- 
how  to  tell  the  ag-e  of  a  horse 
by  an  examination  of  his  teeth; 
cannot  be  over-estimated  by 
those  who  have  occasion  to 
BUY  HORSES.  Such  knowl- 
edg-e  is  VALUABLE  alike  to 
the  FARMER,MERCHANT 
and  MECHANIC,  and  may 
often  save  many  dollars  to  itV 
possessor.  By  a  study  of  thi?* 
book,  all  may  learn  in  a  short- 
time  to  become  experts.  En- 
g-raving-s  are  g-iven  showing*  the 
shape  of  the  teeth  from  the  ag-e  of  Two-and-a-Half  Years 
up  to  Twenty  Years.  The  TRICKS  of  horse  traders 
who  *•' Doctor-Up"  the  teeth  of  OLD  HORSES  to  make 
them  LOOK  YOUNG,  and  thus  deceive  purchasers,  are 
full.y  EXPOSED,  and  the  matter  explained  so  clearly  that 
no  one  need  be  cheated.  This  is  the  most  practical  book  o( 
clie  kiud  ever  published.  There  is  a  chapter  also  on  Horse 
Character,  or  How  to  Tell  the  Disposition  of  a  Horse ; 
whether  Kind  and  Gentle,  or  Vicious  and  Unreliable, 
Bound  in  extra  cloth,  with  ink  side-stamp.  Price  jo  cents. 
Sent  by  mail  on  receipt  of  this  amount  in  postag-o  stamps* 
or  otherwise.     Address 

M.  T.  RICHARDSON  CO..  Publishers, 


P.  0.  Box  2348,  New  York, 


JUST  PUBLISHED. 


He  Practical  iBrse-Slier. 


We  have  just  completed  a 
book  on  horseshoeing,  compiled 
from  the  practical  articles  which 
have  appeared  in  the  columns  of 

*'Xlie  BlacltsmitU 
and      l^tieel-wriglit'' 

during  the  past  few  years. 
Altogether  it  is  the 

MOST   IMPORTANT 

Work  on 

Horse-Shoeing 

ever  published,  and  contains,  in 
addition  to  illustrations  of  proper 
shapes  of  shoes  for  different 
diseases  of  the  feet,  engravings 
and  d-scnptions  of  the  various 
methods  of  Shoeitig  Vicious 
and  Tlyly  Morses  or  Jilules, 
great  variety  of  Tools  suitable 
and  useful  in  horseshoeing  are 
de>cribed  and  illustrated. 

It  tells  how  to  shoe  horses  to 
Cure  Contraction f  to  Pre- 
vettt  Jitterferinff  or  Over' 
reaching.  It  tells  the  best 
method  of  Treating  Corns — 
whether  Cold  or  Hot  Fitting 
is  best.  A  great  variety  of  other 
nformatif^n  not  at  preseiK  ob- 
tainable elsewhere  will  be  found 
in  its  pages. 
— rnr-r-— H^i— iiiiniBmi  I        The  book  is   bound  in    extra 

cloth,  with  ink  side  stamp  and  gold  back,  and  will  be  sent  to  any  address  on  receipt  of  the 

price,  One  I>ollar,    Audress, 

M.  T.  RICHARDSON  CO.,  Publishers, 


p.  0.  Box  2348,  New  York. 


